IN the past several months the term “Night Watches” has taken on new and significant meaning for me. Maybe it is just my getting older or the stress of current events, or both… but I have a new habit of waking in the middle of the night finding the only and blessed remedy to fall asleep again is to rise for a time of quiet prayer, devotional reading, and yes, song. – I was taught how to sing Psalm 89:1&2 years ago by my beloved step-father.
I will sing of the mercies of the LORD forever;
With my mouth will I make known Your faithfulness to all generations...
IT is my default song in the night …
But no one says, “Where is God my Maker,
Who gives songs in the night……” – Job 35:10
The LORD will command His lovingkindness in the daytime,
And in the night His song shall be with me—
A prayer to the God of my life. – Psa. 42:8
THERE are several Scriptures that have plowed this new path and nightly habit:
When I remember You on my bed,
I meditate on You in the night watches. – Psa. 63:6
I will bless the LORD who has given me counsel;
My heart also instructs me in the night seasons.
I have set the LORD always before me;
Because He is at my right hand I shall not be moved. – Psa. 16:7, 8
For a thousand years in Your sight
Are like yesterday when it is past,
And like a watch in the night. – Psa. 90:4
THERE is something about the night, awake and knowing my God never sleeps nor slumbers. Occasionally there is that moment when – especially during a clear night with a full moon – that the darkness is quite bright as I look out into my backyard at the shadows being cast beneath the shade of moon lite trees, vines, and flowering plants.
The sun shall not strike you by day, nor the moon by night. – Psa. 121:6
IT is a time of quiet contemplation, all is at rest under His all-watchful eye, being made ready for the call of the soon arriving dawn. Though I would rather be at peace in sleep, I know that blessings reside even in the dark where the heavenly orbs shine brightest. I may awake with a sigh and frown, but the night watch never fails to bring a welcomed smile to my heart and soul, allowing me to return unburdened to both lie down in peace, and sleep, [knowing] You alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety. (Psa. 4:8)
IN all this, I happened recently upon THE NIGHT WATCHES, by John MacDuff, found at https://www.gracegems.org/. In light of all that has been going on in world events, problems near and far, and our hope for recovery as we look forward from here, I found the following Night Watches read today to be both challenging and comforting. I share this with a thought and prayer that you will find it a blessing as well. We will return to our regular Lessons from the Garden commentary next week.
In the wondrous blessings of Christ,
Joe
Neh. 8:10, Isa. 30:15 & Job 2:10
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Night Watches
Day 14
THE PROVIDENCE OF GOD
“His kingdom rules over all.” — Psalm 103:19
Believer, try to see God in everything — and everything in God! Lose your own will in His. Enter on no pursuit, engage in no plan, without Paul’s prayer and condition, “May the will of the Lord be done.” How it would hallow prosperity, and sweeten adversity, thus, in all things, to follow, like Israel, the Guiding Pillar — at His bidding to pitch our tents; at His bidding to depart. Each providence has a voice — if we would only hear it. It is a signpost in the journey, pointing us to “the right way,” that we may go to “the city of habitation.”
Often what a mysterious volume Providence is! Its every page full of dark hieroglyphics, to which human reason can furnish no key. But faith falls back on the assurance that “the Judge of all the earth must do right.” The Father of all His people cannot do wrong. To the common observer, the stars in the nightly heavens are all confused masses, pursuing diverse and erratic courses. But to the astronomer, each has its allotted and prescribed pathway, and all are preserving inviolately, one universal law of harmony and order. It is faith’s loftiest prerogative, patiently to wait until ‘that day of disclosures,’ when page by page the mysterious book will be unraveled, and the believer himself will endorse every page with, “It is well!”
Providences may even seem to be getting darker — merging like declining day into the shadows of twilight. But, contrary to nature, and to the Christian’s expectations, “At evening time — it shall be light!” The gathering cloud will then be seen to be fraught only with blessings, which will burst on the believer’s head. My soul, be still, and know that He is God! “Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him.” The mysterious “why” you have so long been waiting for, will soon be revealed. The long night-watch will soon terminate in the looked-for, longed-for morning.
Blessed Lord! my pilgrimage path is studded thick with Ebenezers testifying to Your faithfulness and mercy. I love to think of Your manifold gracious interpositions in the past — God sustaining me in trial — God supporting me in perplexity — God rescuing me when in temptation — God helping me when “vain was the help of man!” “When my foot slipped, Your mercy, O Lord, held me up!” And shall I not take all Your goodness previously manifested — as a pledge of faithfulness in the future? In full confidence that You are a “rich Provider,” I shall take no anxious thought for the morrow — but repose in this covenant assurance of a covenant-keeping God, “I will never fail you nor forsake you.” “I will both lie down and sleep in peace, for You alone, O Lord, make me live in safety!” — Psalm 4:8
