Sweet Sleep 甜美的睡眠
Dexu Xia
Bad memories and accusing messages flooded Sal’s mind. Sleep eluded him as fear filled his heart and sweat covered his skin. It was the night before his baptism, and he couldn’t stop the onslaught of dark thoughts. Sal had received salvation in Jesus and knew that his sins had been forgiven, but the spiritual battle continued. It’s then that his wife took his hand and prayed for him. Moments later, peace replaced the fear in Sal’s heart. He got up and wrote the words he would share prior to being baptized—something he hadn’t been able to do. After that, he experienced sweet sleep.
King David also knew what a restless night felt like. Fleeing from his son Absalom who wanted to steal his throne (2 Samuel 15–17), he knew that “tens of thousands [assailed him] on every side” (Psalm 3:6). David moaned, “How many are my foes!” (v. 1). Though fear and doubt could have won out, he called out to God, his “shield” (v. 3). Later, he found that he could “lie down and sleep . . . because the Lord sustains [him]” (v. 5).
When fears and struggles grip our mind and rest is replaced by restlessness, hope is found as we pray to God. While we might not experience immediate sweet sleep as Sal and David did, “in peace [we can] lie down and . . . dwell in safety” (4:8). For God is with us and He’ll be our rest.
By: Tom Felten
What things are weighing on your heart and mind? What will it mean for you to truly surrender them to God through prayer?
Dear God, thank You for providing hope and peace as I lift my prayers to You.
我躺下睡觉，我醒着，耶和华都保佑我。—诗篇3篇5节
绍杰的脑海充斥着痛苦的回忆和各项指控，心中充满恐惧，全身大汗淋漓，使他完全无法入眠。这是他受洗的前一天晚上，他内心一直受到黑暗权势的搅扰。绍杰已接受耶稣的救恩，且知道自己的罪已被赦免，但属灵的争战仍未停息。这时，他的妻子握着他的手为他祷告。不久，绍杰不再感到恐惧，而是满有平安。他起身写下在受洗前想要跟大家分享的见证，这是他之前做不到的。后来，他享受了甜美的睡眠。
大卫王也知道无法安然入睡的滋味。在躲避举兵谋叛、意图夺取王位的儿子押沙龙时（撒母耳记下15-17章），大卫知道“有成万的百姓来周围攻击[他]”（诗篇3篇6节），以致大卫悲叹：“我的敌人何其加增！”（1节）然而，尽管心中充满恐惧和怀疑，他还是向上帝呼求，因上帝是他的“盾牌”（3节）。后来，他发现自己可以“躺下，……睡觉，都因耶和华在扶持着[他]”（5节，新译本）。
当恐惧和困难占据我们的心思，心中的平安被焦虑取代时，我们可以向上帝祷告，以寻得盼望。虽然我们未必会像绍杰和大卫那样，立刻可以享受甜美的睡眠，但我们可以“安然躺下……安然居住”（4篇8节）。因为上帝与我们同在，祂将成为我们的安息之所。
作者： 冯得恩
哪些事情正压在你的心头？你如何藉着祷告将重担完全交托给上帝？
亲爱的上帝，当我向祢祷告时，感谢祢赐下盼望与平安。