Sleep.
        Ah, how we need it.
        Ah, how many people today don’t get enough of it. Sometimes because they’re on the go so much that they don’t get to bed. But often because when their head hits the pillow, the ol’ eyeballs stay wide open.
                They can’t sleep.

The mind is stuck in overdrive - planning, organizing, preparing.
Or the body is simply too tired.
Or worries that can be suppressed during the daylight now overwhelm.
Or the day’s caffeine keeps buzzing’ round and round.
Should they drift off, it’s only to wake up again far too soon – body and mind still groggy.
The medical community has experts devoted to the topic of sleep.
Coming up with all kinds of tricks designed to help people get a good night’s rest – medications, mental thought games, stress relieving activities

It is sleep that Psalm 127 speaks of – sleep as a gift from God:
        ...for He grants sleep to those He loves.... (v.2)

Sleep - a topic mentioned surprisingly often in the Bible.
Sometimes in a bad way:
-    there is the sleep of sloth; like those chastised in Proverbs for snoozing away harvest time.
-    there is the sleep of indifference; like godless people against whom the Bible says, "Let us not sleep... but let us who are of the day be sober."
-    there is the sleep of false security; like King Saul who falls asleep, and his general, Abner, falls asleep beside him. David, whom -    they’ve been stalking, sneaks in and could easily have killed him.
-    there is the sleep of lust; think of Samson at Delilah’s house.
-    there is the sleep of sorrow; think of the disciples in Gethsemane.

Sleep.
Ah, but then there is good sleep. The sleep that God grants. Holy sleep:
-    the sleep of someone who is receiving a vision; like Abraham or Peter, and in that vision sees God’s care and direction for their lives.
-    the sleep of a quiet conscience; Peter, between two guards and in jail for his faith, asleep even while in chains. His heart is right with the Lord and this man is confident of eternal security. So he sleeps.

A quiet conscience. Where can we truly find that, but at the foot of the cross? Ah, yes – sleep, good sleep...... a gift from God.

-    And the sleep of contentment; the person satisfied with her lot in life, finding comfort that she belongs body and soul, in life and in death, to her faithful Saviour Jesus Christ.... who will work all things together for her salvation.... who provides for all that she needs in far greater measure than he does for the lily.
                There’s an old poem that says:
                        Mortals cease from toil and sorrow
                        For God provideth for the morrow.

Sleep, good sleep.

-    There is the good sleep of trusting confidence for the future. It is the sleep of a child snuggled in mother’s arms. I can worry. I can plan. I can organize. I can do. But the future remains very much out of my control. And that could drive me crazy. Except..... well, here’s another old poem. Guess it’s "Poem night at Calvin":
        What may be the future lot,
        High or low concerns me not;
        This alone gives my heart rest,
        What God ordains is truly best.

What God ordains is truly best.

Ah, yes.
We are privileged to be part of a tradition that includes an annual service set aside for quieting the soul and improving the chance of good sleep. We’re going to stop talking to each other, and spend the rest of this service in focussed communion with the Lord.

As part of a busy, high-intensity community here in Ottawa, we could - and sometimes are - caught up in this whole sleep-deprived thing that is plaguing our country. Worrying, planning, wondering, tossing, turning........
        Can-do people often get that way.

Tonight resets our spiritual balance.
And reminds us, "Unless the Lord builds.... and watches....." all is in vain.

So we’ll bring our work, our world, our play ---- our all
        to the throne of our Heavenly Father, who knows all even before we ask and yet has ordained it so that we are to ask. It is His will.

For He responds to the prayers of His people. He is moved to action by them.
        So we must pray.

And His Spirit uses the prayers to reset the spiritual compass of His people. That they can cast their cares on Him and leave them there.
That they can be reminded about who’s in the drivers seat.
That arrogance can be trashed.
And humble dependence rekindled.

Tonight’s service doesn’t do it for the year. But it sets the pace. It marks the way. It sends the message.
        Real peace, true rest, and quiet good sleep can be found........
                ........here. In prayer before the Lord.