One psychologist suggested a prescription for a person who could not sleep in the night: “Imagine a big flock of sheep, start counting them one by one, by the time you could 100, you will fall asleep.” There are many who toss in their bed, groaning, lamenting, weeping or feeling uneasy.
Prophet Micah writes: “Woe to those who devise wickedness and work evil on their beds! When the morning dawns, they perform it, because it is in the power of their hand.” (Micah 2:1) Wicked people losing sleep devise more and more wicked things: revenge, vengeance or punishment for offending their egos. When they woke up in the morning, they act on their wily schemes as it is in their authority and capacity to do so.
In contrast, what happens in the lives of saints.
1) Meditation: Instead of focusing the past or himself or his enemies, King David focusses on God. A life that is centred around God and His Kingdom could join King David as he writes: “I remember you upon my bed, and meditate on you in the watches of the night.” (Psalm 63:6) Loneliness in converted to sweet time of fellowship with God by meditating Scripture that is read or remembered during that time.
2) Songs and Praises: Another option is to sing, praise and worship the Lord. At night psalmist raises up to praise the Lord. (Psalms 119:62) King David and young Elihu say song is with me during night says David. (Psalms 42:8; Job 35:10) Paul and Silas sang during night in their prison, that resulted in their deliverance and conversion of Jailor. (Acts 16:25)
3) God speaks: It is not monologue, but dialogue with God in the nights. Samuel and David experiences Lord’s counsel, teaching that he instructs himself with the laws of the Lord. (Psalms 16:7I Samuel 3:7-11)
The thoughts that comes up in our mind indicates our priorities, anxieties, challenges and hope. Christians can discipline their minds to meditate, worship and listen to His whispering voice during night.
Do I worship, meditate and listen to His voice in the nights?