Introduction

A. Sleeplessness can be brought on by pain, illness, or anxiety.

B. Are you losing sleep because of something amiss in your life?

Discussion

I. Some endure sleepless nights for the sake of others.

A. Parents very often lose sleep on their children’s account (2 Samuel 12:16; Proverbs 31:15, 18).

B. Our elders often sacrifice sleep on our behalf (Hebrews 13:17), unlike the leaders of Israel (Isaiah 56:10).

C. God’s people have often brought sleeplessness upon their leaders (1 Samuel 3:15; 15;11; 2 Corinthians 6: 3–5; 7:5; 1 Thessalonians 2:9).

II. Some endure sleepless nights for foolish reasons.

A. King Darius once allowed himself to be tricked into a sleepless night (Daniel 6:1–18).

B. Israel lost sleep because of faithlessness (Numbers 14:1).

C. Some lose sleep over cares of this world (Ecclesiastes 5:12).

D. Some lose sleep because they are engaged in sinful activities (Numbers 11:31–34; Genesis 19; Judges 19; 1 Thessalonians 5:7).

E. Some lose sleep because of their knowledge of sin in their lives (Acts 9:9).

III. Sleepless nights can actually be a blessing...

A. ...when spent in prayer (Luke 6:12; 1 Timothy 5:5; Luke 18:7).

B. ...when spent in meditation on God’s Word (Joshua 1:8; Psalms 1:2).

Conclusion

A. When you find that you can’t sleep, talk with the One who never slumbers (Psalms 121:1–4; 1 Kings 8:29).

B. If, however, you are losing sleep because of sin in your life and anxiety about the Judgment, don’t learn how to sleep with guilt; learn instead what it is like to be sleepless without it!