I will bless the Lord who guides me;
even at night my heart instructs me.
8 I know the Lord is always with me.
I will not be shaken, for he is right beside me.
9 No wonder my heart is glad, and I rejoice.
My body rests in safety.
10 For you will not leave my soul among the dead
or allow your holy one to rot in the grave.
11 You will show me the way of life,
granting me the joy of your presence
and the pleasures of living with you forever. Psalm 16:7-11 (NLT)
In the night,Lord, I remember your name, that I may keep your law.
56 This has been my practice: I obey your precepts.
57 You are my portion,Lord; I have promised to obey your words.
58 I have sought your face with all my heart;
be gracious to me according to your promise. Psalm 119:55-58 (NIV)
God continues to speak to me about being sensitive and loving to all His children.
I have said before in these devotions that illness and worries always seem to peak in the middle of the night. And that isn’t without good reason. Most of us sleep during the night so when I am unable to sleep, I am going against the routine, the “normal.” I don’t know any doctors who are on call 24/7 and when I have had to call a doctor at 2 a.m., whether professionally or for my own family, rarely have I reached my doctor. It’s always an associate. As good as he or she might be, they aren’t the one I know and trust.
Jesus is on call 24/7, isn’t He? Recently I have found my night time conversations with Jesus to be – precious. By that I mean – something that I can not put value on. It is priceless. When I cannot sleep, opening my Bible or asking God, “Who do you want me to pray about?” will bring me into a quiet, intimate time with Him. Maybe I am more open to His teaching. Maybe I am more open to the Spirit’s direction in prayer. There is less of me having my way. And I sleep very well after!
If you can’t sleep, open your Bible, turn on a quiet hymn or song, or just close your eyes in prayer. Let the LORD speak to your heart. Let Him tell you what is on His heart. That is an extraordinary honor.
Now the Day is Over written by Sabine Baring-Gould & sung by Hastings College Choir
Now the day is over,
Night is drawing nigh;
Shadows of the evening
Steal across the sky.
Jesus, give the weary
Calm and sweet repose;
With Thy tend’rest blessing
May mine eyelids close.
When the morning wakens,
Then may I arise
Pure and fresh and sinless
In Thy holy eyes.
