For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour
is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.
–Psalm 30:5 (KJV)
Have you ever had a night where you could not sleep?
You tossed, turned, tried sleeping in different positions, tried counting
sheep, yet all your strategies failed? Instead of sleep, you became
even more agitated. I have experienced many nights like this.
Rather than lie there unable to sleep, I usually get up and read, watch
TV (good luck finding anything worth watching at 3:00 AM), or sit on
the porch and listen to the night sounds. My dogs, Ada and Leon,
love it when this happens, as they are always eager for a little nighttime
excursion outside, even in the middle of the night. However, I
am usually less enthusiastic as I simply want to get some sleep.
During nights such as this, we desire one of two
conclusions; we hope for sleep or for the morning to come. We
know one of these two scenarios has to happen. Waiting for it
is another matter. The Bible speaks of God’s anger enduring
for a moment, but His favor is life – He sustains us through the dark
times. Consider a night where we cannot sleep as a call from God
to arise and settle a matter with Him. Perhaps there is sin that
needs confessed or an attitude that needs adjusted. These days
when sleep eludes me, I often see this as a call from God inviting me
to seek Him in prayer and meditation. Once our hearts are right
with God through confession and repentance, we are then able to rest
in the peace the Lord provides.
Rest assured the Lord does not hold grudges.
Anytime we find we are out of God’s will, we may return to Him and
find grace, mercy, and compassion. The Lord stands ready to forgive,
for as the Bible says, His anger lasts only a short while. The
weeping and sorrow we endure may feel like a night of endless insomnia,
yet there is joy waiting with the cleansing power of forgiveness through
Jesus Christ our Lord. Just as we are certain the sun will rise
in the morning, so we are confident the Son of God has risen and overcome
anything standing in the way of true life in Him. Claim the power
in Jesus Christ and experience the joy He offers.
Last Sunday I reminded the congregation that prayer
involves two-way communication between God and us. Make sure we
are not the ones doing all the talking. Be willing to be still
before God and listen for the still small voice of His Spirit gently
convicting our hearts and reassuring us of His presence. When
we are walking with Christ in daily prayer, we may have nights where
we are wakened at 3:00 or 4:00 in the morning and cannot go back to
sleep. Could God be calling you to an early and extended prayer
time? I believe this is possible. Do not fear such a blessed
encounter with God, but embrace it willingly.
Okay, it is time I headed to bed. Who knows,
the Lord may wake me in a few hours to commune with Him. Let it
be so, dear Lord.
God bless you today.
