Editor’s Note: This article is part of a series called “Letters from Grandpa.” Each entry is written by Cory Ishida, who was the senior pastor of Evergreen Baptist Church of San Gabriel Valley until his retirement. During the pandemic, he texted devotions to his grandchildren to encourage them while they were apart. We at the SOLA Network are honored to republish Pastor Cory’s devotions in hopes that they will be a blessing to the church.
Recently I wrote a three-part devotional series to my grandchildren, one of whom was having difficulty sleeping. I called it “The Sleep Trilogy.”
Part One: “Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep”
Every now and then, I will have difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep. I feel blessed that it doesn’t happen very often, but it does happen occasionally.
Whenever I have a sleep issue, I turn to Psalm 4:8 which says, “In peace I will both lie down and sleep, for You alone, O LORD, make me to dwell in safety.”
When David was being hunted by King Saul, he often had to sleep in caves with “one eye open.” Yet, he was able to sleep in peace because he knew that God was there to protect him. If David could sleep under those conditions, then his psalm about sleeping is a powerful reminder to trust the One who is the Lord of everything, even sleep.
Grandchildren, remember and even memorize this psalm for times when sleeping is more difficult than it should be.
This Is the Way.
Love,
Grandpa
Part Two: “Sweet Dreams”
Proverbs 3:24 says, “When you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.” This proverb is all about sweet dreams. But how can we have sleep that is sweet?
The subject of this chapter of Proverbs is wisdom. It tells us that the wisest thing we can do is trust in the Lord. Proverbs 3 contains one of the best-known verses in the bible. Proverbs 3:5-6 says, “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.”
So, what happens when you trust in the Lord, acknowledge Him in everything, and lean not on
your own understanding? Your sleep will be sweet.
Grandchildren, try memorizing Proverbs 3:5-6 and claim it before going to bed for one week and see how it affects your sleep. Remember, wisdom from on high leads to sweet dreams.
This Is the Way.
Love,
Grandpa
Part Three: “Trust Sleep”
“I lay down and slept; I awoke, for the LORD sustains me.” Psalm 3:5
Psalm 3:5 was written by David while he was fleeing from his son, Absalom, who was trying to kill him. Once again, as was the case when King Saul was pursuing him, David was able to sleep soundly.
Once again, the deep sleep of a hunted David revealed the sustaining power of trusting God. David had deep sleep because he had a deep trust in the hand of God in his life. I call it “trust sleep.”
Throughout all of the trials and tribulations of life, I have been able to have adequate sleep
because I have been able to trust in the Lord through it all. God sustained me with “trust sleep.”
Grandchildren, if something happens in your life that causes you to lose sleep, take what is troubling you and give it to the Lord. Trust in Him, then fall asleep. You will experience “trust sleep.” May you never lose sleep because of worry and anxiety. May you always trust in the Lord so that you will always have bountiful “Trust Sleep”.
This Is the Way.
Love,
Grandpa