DAILY BREAD READING (Published Daily by Our Daily Bread Ministries)
MAY 25, 2026
READ: 2 Samuel 15 (Focus vs. 23-27, 29-31)
MEMORY VERSE
“I lie down and sleep; I wake again, because the Lord sustains me.” Psalm 3:5
BACKGROUND
“Tactical napping” is a series of guidelines for soldiers for effective, ten to thirty minutes of sleep. While experiencing a rush of adrenaline, loneliness, or anxiety, sleep-deprived soldiers may not be able to relax. Tips include using earplugs and reading before bed.
They’re even offered military-grade, caffeinated chewing gum to reduce grogginess after a nap.
It’s when we most need rest that it’s often difficult to find. King David experienced this after fleeing into the wilderness to escape his son Absalom’s treason. David and his followers wept aloud at his betrayal with their heads covered in mourning (2 Samuel 15:30-31).
In fact, “the whole countryside wept aloud” (v. 23). It was around this time that David cried out, “Lord, how many are my foes!” (Psalm 3:1). Perhaps thinking about past troubled nights, however, David continued, “I lie down and sleep; I wake again, because the Lord sustains me. I will not fear” (vv. 5-6).
David realized that God, not Absalom, was in charge of his situation. David even sent the ark of the covenant back to Jerusalem, acknowledging that the future was fully in God’s hands (2 Samuel 15:25-26).
Sleep feels especially fleeting when we’re facing adversity in our waking hours, but it’s a good reminder of how many things are outside our control. Yet God sustains us and, as we trust Him, He can help us lie down in peace.
Karen Pimpo
INSIGHT
As David fled Jerusalem, his enemy Shimei hurled stones and cursed at him (2 Samuel 16:5-8). David’s warrior Abishai wanted to kill Shimei, but the king wouldn’t permit it (vv. 9-11).
Instead, he trusted God to “restore to [him] his covenant blessing” (v. 12). Despite Shimei’s abuse, “The king and all the people with him arrived at their destination exhausted. And there he refreshed himself” (v. 14).
This is the setting for David’s psalm: “I lie down and sleep; I wake again, because the Lord sustains me” (Psalm 3:5). No matter our circumstances, we can find rest in God.
APPLICATION
What keeps you from true rest? How can your surrender to God produce peace?
PR’s (Pastor Richard) RE-EMPHASIS (From Today’s Post)
“Sleep feels especially fleeting when we’re facing adversity in our waking hours, but it’s a good reminder of how many things are outside our control…No matter our circumstances, we can find rest in God.”
PR’s TAKE
“When God created mankind, He designed us with the necessity to rest.” Our Daily Bread
“Now I lay me down to sleep, I pray the Lord my soul to keep. Angels watch me through the night. And wake me with the morning light” Christian Children Bed-time Prayer – Variation
PRAYER
“Dear God, thank You for keeping watch while I sleep and when I wake.”
TODAY’S HYMN/WORSHIP/PRAISE/GOSPEL SONG
“REST” Deborah Paul-Enenche
Oh my God, my soul is cast down within me
Oh my God, I feel alone
There’s a void
0nly you can fill
Hope thou in the Lord
Dwell between His shoulders
And I’m resting in your arms
I know you hold me
I know you hug me yeah
And I’m resting in your arms
Forever I am yours
I am yours
My love
And I’m resting in your arms
I know you hold me
I know you hug me yeah
And I’m resting in your arms
Forever I am yours
I am yours
My love …
