While Others Sleep - Daughters of Promise - April 26, 2019

WHILE OTHERS SLEEP

That night the king could not sleep; so he ordered the book of the chronicles, the record of his reign, to be brought in and read to him. It was found recorded there that Mordecai had exposed Bigthana and Teresh, two of the king’s officers who guarded the doorway, who had conspired to assassinate King Xerxes. Esther 6:1-2

In spite of the fact that a king enjoys plush sleeping quarters, Xerxes couldn’t sleep. Hindsight shows us that God was at work, causing sleep to evade him. Deciding to get up and read, he thought of glancing through the journal of events that spanned his reign. Did this idea originate with him? I doubt it. Mordecai, one of God’s choicest sons, was in danger and God personally takes care of His children. So, we can rightly assume that God planted this nocturnal activity in the king’s mind, one that would end up causing this king to review an old plot meant to harm him. While reading, he would also uncover that Mordecai had never been rewarded for saving his life.

It is a comfort to me that God works in the night. He is capable of doing deep spirit work while I sleep.

• He often gives me dreams that have prophetic implications. I have about two dreams a year like this. I get up right away and record them in my journal.
• Other times, He allows me to have dreams that are simply truth-telling sessions about the character of certain people in my life. They act out, even in absurdity, in ways that are consistent with the strengths and weaknesses of their personality.
• There are other times I toss and turn in darkness, consumed with worry. When that happens, it’s time to confront the spiritual giants in the land with faith.
• Finally, there are moments I wake up with a jolt. I am alert and know that I am to pray, or get up to read something. Oftentimes, I’m led to a particular book in my library. I’ll turn haphazardly to a page and discover I’m awakened to the truths contained there. An accident? Hardly.

The God of Xerxes has not changed. Lack of sleep is a good motivator to pursue God’s intent. Oftentimes, it’s life saving. But, at the very least, it’s always worth getting up for.

I love to sleep, but not at the expense of missing an appointment with You. When sleep evades me, help me discover Your plan. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.