“When I remember You on my bed, I meditate on You in the night watches, for You have been my help, and in the shadow of Your wings I sing for joy.” [Psalm 63:6-7]
Remember how I’ve said previously that the Psalms are AWESOME, because they pretty much cover ANY emotions we might be experiencing? Well, the above verses are a great treasure for me, because I have chronic insomnia.
I’m one of those folks who has worked in a traditional work environment for many years. This stodgy, inflexible environment has required the “standard working hours” of 8am-5pm. Over the years, I’ve been able to adjust my schedule to an 8:30am-6pm, but that’s about as flexible as it gets in this type of job.
Now, enter this chronic insomnia, which comes hand-in-hand with a chronic illness that has been my constant companion for almost 30 years. It’s quite common for me to be up until 2am, & there have been countless times when I’ve even been up until 4am or 5am. As you might guess, this type of schedule isn’t really conducive with my job, what with having to get up at 7:30am or so. Sometimes I feel as if I’m sleepwalking thru my life. Not to mention that this spotty sleeping really wreaks havoc on my concentration & short-term memory.
So the above verses really bring me comfort in those lonely wee hours when I’m up walking back & forth in my 28x20 great room, trying to wear myself down to such exhaustion that I can fall asleep. My faithful dogs watch me go back & forth, almost wearing a furrow into the carpet.
The thing is, I’m not sharing this because I’m looking for pity. Each of us has some sort of trial to bear. Paul called it a “thorn in the flesh.” In my case, one of my “thorns” is this insomnia. But I know others who have grappled with struggling marriages, or kids in trouble, or serious personal “falls from grace”, or major health issues far beyond my own. The Word of God can bring comfort in ALL of these cases.
Hebrews 4:12 says, “The Word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.”
No matter what your experience, the Word is the Source for your guidance & comfort. NEVER underestimate the power of the Living Word! It can change your point of view from pessimistic & discouraged to trusting & ready to continue the battle! I write these words to myself as well as to you, dear friend! Our Lord gave us the Word so that we could be strengthened, challenged, and encouraged.
Whether you find yourself awake & feeling alone in the middle of the night, or fighting all alone to save your marriage, or any other situation – the Word is POWER! It is our Father’s Love Letter to us! The Armor of God is not just a highfalutin’ concept – it is POWER!
“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. Stand firm therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.” [Ephesians 6:10-17]
I had a friend in college who had this little Bible he kept with him. It was so well-worn that it was covered in duct tape to hold it together! My friend called it his Knife (smaller than a sword). I LOVED that concept – that my friend knew the Word so well that he had to hold his Bible together with duct tape, & could use his Knife to fight the fight against the spiritual forces of wickedness!
So I challenge you, as I challenge myself, to delve deeply into the Word. Know what it says, & use the Word’s power to strengthen you against the spiritual forces of wickedness!
