Bedtime Stories

Act 20:1-16


Bedtime Stories

When we were kids some of us can remember falling asleep to someone reading to us a story. We feel asleep to a story that made us think about things that were good and edifying to our minds. If we didn’t get through the whole story then we picked up where we left off the night before.

Paul as he was traveling to Troas preached what seems to be the longest sermon ever. As the reading and teaching of the word continued into the night the young man sitting by the window, to probably get some fresh air, feel asleep and feel to his death. If that’s where his life would have ended wouldn’t that have been a great way to go. Hearing the word of God and looking up at the stars that He created and then reaching those stars by being in the presence of Jesus.

Paul I’m sure feeling bad rushes down and fell on the man and prayed for him and he comes back to life. What a crazy scene that must have been for the people to see.

“but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night.” (Psalm 1:2)

Some of us I think feel that we somehow dishonor God when we are reading the Bible and fall asleep but what better thing to fall asleep to. A majority of people will wind down by watching television until they fall asleep, but think about the rude and crude images they have seen either in the program or the commercials. It is an honorable thing to fill your mind and thoughts of God’s word before you fall asleep and that wholesome mental diet will continue into your dreams. Maybe God will speak great things to you in your sleep. Many visions were given in the Bible while people were asleep. Peter was spoken to by God with the sheet from heaven with the animals to eat. God will speak His word like a child’s lullaby that sweetly puts our mind and heart at rest in Him.

“In peace I will both lie down and sleep; for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.” (Psalm 4:8)

“If you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.” (Proverbs 3:24)