So recently I've been having a lot of trouble going to sleep. Of course I've heard of reading the Bible before going to bed, but it's so much easier to catch up on the most exciting first round of the NBA playoffs in recent memory. But as I soak up the heroics of Lillard or the brazen disregard of a certain owner, I find it more and more difficult to fall asleep. Unsatisfied after completing a thorough search of the interwebs for tidbits on the Lakers' next head coach, I'll often turn to the book. No, not the Bible... the Facebook. This goes on for who knows how long until my body finally overrides my racing mind and initiates a force shut down. Another night of sleeping well past midnight. What a waste of time.
Perhaps my spiral of sleeplessness bears striking resemblance to your nightly routine. Well, then the both of us need to be brought back to one of the sweetest, most basic Christian practices—reading the Bible before bed.
To highlight the importance of this topic, I've spent some time to consider 4 reasons for why we should reject SportsCenter and choose THE book (that's what "Bible" means in Greek).
1. Comfort and Calm
Falling asleep is very hard if our being is not in a state of comfort and rest. Many can testify that reading the Bible has an inexplicable calming effect. In 2 Corinthians 1:3 the special title "God of all comfort" is used. In Romans 16:20 He is called the "God of peace." He even said, "Come to Me all who toil and are burdened, and I will give you rest" (Matthew 11:28). He wasn't specifically speaking about physical rest, but physical and soulish rest are closely related. "Come to Me!"
Perhaps my spiral of sleeplessness bears striking resemblance to your nightly routine. Well, then the both of us need to be brought back to one of the sweetest, most basic Christian practices—reading the Bible before bed.
To highlight the importance of this topic, I've spent some time to consider 4 reasons for why we should reject SportsCenter and choose THE book (that's what "Bible" means in Greek).
1. Comfort and Calm
Falling asleep is very hard if our being is not in a state of comfort and rest. Many can testify that reading the Bible has an inexplicable calming effect. In 2 Corinthians 1:3 the special title "God of all comfort" is used. In Romans 16:20 He is called the "God of peace." He even said, "Come to Me all who toil and are burdened, and I will give you rest" (Matthew 11:28). He wasn't specifically speaking about physical rest, but physical and soulish rest are closely related. "Come to Me!"
2. Musing
Laying in bed at night before falling asleep is arguably the best time for reflecting on the past day and upon oneself. It's also a good time to muse upon the Word of God. The Psalmist said, "I will meditate on all that You have done / And muse on Your doings" (77:12). To muse is to contemplate or meditate with the goal of being enlightened or inspired. Surely we will receive much light and supply by musing upon the Word of God.
3. Dreams
Here's where we get scientific. Studies have shown that what we do before we go to sleep has a particularly strong correlation with what we dream about. Wouldn't you rather dream about God than about your next big final or presentation? Every now and then we also get nightmares. What better to dispel those terrifying thoughts and feelings than words of God's love and grace? We should interpret nightmares as reminders to read our Bible before bed.
4. The Omega
Much emphasis has been put on the importance of contacting the Lord first thing in the morning. This is absolutely crucial for any Christian to be healthy and growing. Touching the Lord in the morning is to experience Him as our Alpha. In the book of Revelation, Christ is revealed not only as the Alpha but also as the Omega (1:8; 22:13)—He is the first and the last. To read the Bible before bed is a good way to experience Christ as our Omega. Speak with the Lord first thing in the morning and last thing at night—Alpha and Omega.
Laying in bed at night before falling asleep is arguably the best time for reflecting on the past day and upon oneself. It's also a good time to muse upon the Word of God. The Psalmist said, "I will meditate on all that You have done / And muse on Your doings" (77:12). To muse is to contemplate or meditate with the goal of being enlightened or inspired. Surely we will receive much light and supply by musing upon the Word of God.
3. Dreams
Here's where we get scientific. Studies have shown that what we do before we go to sleep has a particularly strong correlation with what we dream about. Wouldn't you rather dream about God than about your next big final or presentation? Every now and then we also get nightmares. What better to dispel those terrifying thoughts and feelings than words of God's love and grace? We should interpret nightmares as reminders to read our Bible before bed.
4. The Omega
Much emphasis has been put on the importance of contacting the Lord first thing in the morning. This is absolutely crucial for any Christian to be healthy and growing. Touching the Lord in the morning is to experience Him as our Alpha. In the book of Revelation, Christ is revealed not only as the Alpha but also as the Omega (1:8; 22:13)—He is the first and the last. To read the Bible before bed is a good way to experience Christ as our Omega. Speak with the Lord first thing in the morning and last thing at night—Alpha and Omega.
Regarding reading the Bible before bed I'd like to say a few words. Be clear that this is not a time to study the Bible. Nor is this story time. It is a time for coming to God and musing on His word. For that reason, I recommend not reading too much. Perhaps a handful of verses is sufficient. The important thing is to take a couple choice verses and muse on them. Receive them as God's word to you and keep them in your mind as you put your Bible away and turn the lights off. As you lie in your bed, use the content of the verses to pray back to God. In this way, reading the Bible before bed will become a source of comfort and rest and, most importantly for this post, a way for you to peacefully drift off to sleep.