A SONG IN THE NIGHT…

Psalm 42:8 Funny things happen when we wake up in the middle of the night and can’t go back to sleep. What do we think about when we can not sleep? What thoughts run through our minds? Where do we go?

During the recent crisis in Gaza, we had many nights of interrupted sleep. Between sirens and stress; wondering…shall I check the live blog to see how other areas were faring in the constant barrage of rockets…prayer, plus musings on the personal affairs of each day…that is enough to keep anyone up! These interruption to my sleep began happening with such regularity that I started to call these times my “night watches”! No matter what time I woke up, it seemed I was up for 2 hours. So, what will it to be tonight, I would ask myself, 12-2 am, 2-4 am, 4-6 am? During the day there are lots of distractions, people, things to do, places to go…but in the quiet of the night, covered by a blanket of dark & stillness, when all around are sleeping and distractions stop, where do our thoughts go?

I guess our issues are not so different than those of people in days of old in the night, because the bible talks about them!

Where are you or I?

Ps 6:6 Every night I make my bed swim, I dissolve my couch with my tears.

Are we groping for God in the midst of troubles? Is.26:9 At night my soul longs for You, Indeed, my spirit within me seeks You diligently; For when the earth experiences Your judgments, the inhabitants of the world learn righteousness.…

Do we hide ourselves in Him?

Ps 91:4-5…And under His wings you may seek refuge; His faithfulness is a shield and bulwark. You will not be afraid of the terror by night..of the pestilence that stalks in darkness,

I ask myself, am I able to do this?

Ps. 4:4 Meditate in your heart upon your bed, and be still.

I find it is when I am squeezed that I see what comes out! Do I have the deep inner conviction and total realization that His Chesed, (Love, Mercy & Compassion), is commanded towards me?

Ps 42:8 The Lord will command his lovingkindness in the daytime, and in the night his song shall be with me, and my prayer unto the God of my life

Is this so so deeply within me that it comes out as a song?

Can I get the point to where I shout for joy and rejoice upon my bed? Ps 149:5 Let the saints be joyful in glory: let them sing aloud upon their beds.

I invite you to go deeper, Lord!

In the words of an anonymous commentator of old: “Night and day should exhibit nothing but seasons for songs. In the best condition there is something over which we may murmur; in the worst something over which we may be thankful. Religion, (I would substitute the word Faith) always ministers to hope.

…Hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the salvation of my countenance, and my God. Ps.42:11