"The Night Watches"

Certainly insomnia can be a very difficult and challenging ordeal. The human body and mind in its present existence requires adequate sleep, and life can become exhausting if we are unable to adequately rest. "He giveth His beloved sleep" (Psalm 127:2).

What if, however, some bouts of sleeplessness might be our Heavenly Father's invitation to commune with Him in the quiet of the night season?

"My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness; and my mouth shall praise Thee with joyful lips: when I remember Thee upon my bed, and meditate on Thee in the night watches" (Psalm 63:5-6).

Remembrances and meditations "in the night watches" were declared by the Psalmist to be the basis of abundant satisfaction of soul, leading to joyful praise. Perhaps our Father Himself awakens us to recall glories of the Lord Jesus Christ that our busy daylight hours do not allow. Or maybe there are thoughts of Him and about Him reserved only for the darkness that provides a necessary contrast and backdrop for His light. There may be prayers to be prayed for people presently enduring pains and sorrows that hinder sleep in the night, and survival in the day. Or it might be that our Lord simply desires the joy of our company in the still and quiet of the night when our attention may be less distracted.

"In the night His song shall be with me, and my prayer unto the God of my life" (Psalm 42:8).

David declares that there are songs to be heard in the night, songs of our Lord Himself, and subsequent prayers to be prayed in response. Perhaps, therefore, we awaken at times not merely because we cannot sleep, but because we are hearing the music, as it were, His music. If so, the prayers of the night watches will reflect the beauty of the Lord Jesus in sublime ways. God's heart will be blessed, our heart will be blessed, and those for whom we pray will be blessed. May we therefore rejoice in both the sleep He gives, and in those times when the God of our lives sings us into wakefulness and communion with Himself.

"And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, He went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed."

(Mark 1:35)

"The day is Thine; the night also is Thine."

(Psalm 74:16)