God doesn’t fall asleep on the job (like I do!)
By Jessica Brodie
My eyes bleary and brain foggy from lack of sleep, I’d finally get my young kids tucked in for the night.
“I’ll be back in just a few minutes to check on you,” I’d promise in my best mommy voice, with every intention to follow through. They’d look so cute in their little beds, all sweet-smelling from their baths and decked out in soft jammies. Prayers and bedtime books finished, they’d peer up at me, trusting that I really and truly would be right back, awake and alert for hours.
Only, the second I tiptoed into my own bedroom, thinking I’d read for awhile and then go back and check, my sleep-weary body would give out. I’d wake up hours later, book tumbled to the floor, fully dressed, lights still on—my bedtime promise broken.
Oops.
Even the best among us say one thing and then do another—sometimes it’s completely unintentional, like blanking on a lunch date, forgetting a doctor’s appointment, or falling asleep by mistake. Sometimes it’s an outright lie.
Thank God we have a Heavenly Father who’s far better than we are! God doesn’t forget His promises, nor does He fall asleep on the job.
As it says in Psalm 121:3-4, “God won’t let your foot slip. Your protector won’t fall asleep on the job. No! Israel’s protector never sleeps or rests!” (CEB).
Hebrews 13:5 also tells us God “will never leave you or abandon you.” Even if we can’t feel Him, He’s there. He doesn’t fall asleep or have an off day. He’s fully present, wide-awake, “on” in a way we can never be.
We don’t always see Him right there. In times of doubt and pain, sometimes we think maybe God’s forgotten us. We think maybe we’re all alone in this struggle, or maybe our problems aren’t significant enough for the Creator of the Universe to worry about.
But God’s no weak, imperfect human. There’s nothing too big or too small for God to handle. He doesn’t just see our pain—He’s with us in the center of it.
Joshua 1:9 reminds us, “I’ve commanded you to be brave and strong, haven’t I? Don’t be alarmed or terrified, because the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
Deuteronomy 31:6 urges, “Be strong! Be fearless! Don’t be afraid and don’t be scared by your enemies, because the Lord your God is the one who marches with you. He won’t let you down, and he won’t abandon you.”
And my favorite, from Isaiah 41:10, “Don’t fear, because I am with you; don’t be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, I will surely help you; I will hold you with my righteous strong hand.”
God’s got us in the palm of His hand—safe, seen, loved, and held.
Forever.