Blog - Proverbs 3:24

If you like this blog, then you will like Get Wisdom, Get Understanding which is Pastor Wagner's commentary series on the book of Proverbs which is available on Amazon in paperback or Kindle. Find out more here. For all the blogs in this series, click here: Proverbs Commentary. Proverbs 3:24 "When thou liest down, thou shalt not be afraid: yea, thou shalt lie down, and thy sleep shall be sweet." (Pro 3:24)

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A good night's sleep is a blessing from the LORD who "giveth his beloved sleep" (Psa 127:2). Some causes of insomnia are physiological and are out of our control, but others are a result of foolish choices and actions. In this verse Solomon declares that sound wisdom (Psa 3:21) will give a man sound sleep. What follows are the reasons for this. When thou liest down, thou shalt not be afraid. There are several reasons why the possession of wisdom prevents fear when we lie down and is therefore a remedy for sleeplessness. Wisdom teaches us to have faith in God which is the antidote to fear.

Psa 56:3-4 - What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee. 4 In God I will praise his word, in God I have put my trust; I will not fear what flesh can do unto me.

Wisdom teaches us to be honest in our dealings so that we don't have a guilty conscience keeping us awake at night.

1Th 4:11-12 - And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you; 12 That ye may walk honestly toward them that are without, and that ye may have lack of nothing.

Wisdom teaches us to keep our lives simple so that we are not stressed when we lie down to sleep. We don't own possessions, they own us. The more things we have to manage and maintain, the more stress we will have keeping us up at night.

Ecc 5:12 - The sleep of a labouring man is sweet, whether he eat little or much: but the abundance of the rich will not suffer him to sleep.

Wisdom teaches us to stay away from dangerous places and people which have a detrimental effect on peaceful sleep because of the fears generated by them. Mafia and gang members likely experience many a sleepless night due to the fear and anxiety which attends their lifestyle.

Pro 1:10-19 - My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not. 11 If they say, Come with us, let us lay wait for blood, let us lurk privily for the innocent without cause: 12 Let us swallow them up alive as the grave; and whole, as those that go down into the pit: 13 We shall find all precious substance, we shall fill our houses with spoil: 14 Cast in thy lot among us; let us all have one purse: 15 My son, walk not thou in the way with them; refrain thy foot from their path: 16 For their feet run to evil, and make haste to shed blood. 17 Surely in vain the net is spread in the sight of any bird. 18 And they lay wait for their own blood; they lurk privily for their own lives. 19 So are the ways of every one that is greedy of gain; which taketh away the life of the owners thereof.

Wisdom teaches us to live within our means so that we don't have money worries keeping us up at night.

Pro 21:20 - There is treasure to be desired and oil in the dwelling of the wise; but a foolish man spendeth it up.

When your life is lived according to God's wisdom, you will look forward to going to bed and not instead lamenting "would God it were morning!" (Deut 28:67). Yea, thou shalt lie down, and thy sleep shall be sweet. Christians who live by the word of God will have sweet sleep because wisdom teaches them to work hard which facilitates deep and pleasant sleep.

Rom 12:11 - Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord; Ecc 5:12 - The sleep of a labouring man is sweet, whether he eat little or much: but the abundance of the rich will not suffer him to sleep.

In summary: God gives his beloved sleep by giving them wisdom through His word which teaches them to make good decisions in life which in turn allows them to get quality rest.

Psa 127:2 - It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows: for so he giveth his beloved sleep.

When we have faith in God to protect us and keep us safe, we can lie our head down in peace and sleep sweetly, as David the sweet psalmist of Israel wrote: "I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, LORD, only makest me dwell in safety" (Psa 4:8).