“When I remember You on my bed, I meditate and thoughtfully focus on You in the night watches, For You have been my help, And in the shadow of Your wings [where I am always protected] I sing for joy. My soul, my life, my very self clings to You; Your right hand upholds me.” Psalm 63:6–8 AMP

Have you ever had a sleepless night worrying about things you have no control over? You are not alone. Many of us have wrestled with anxiety in the quiet hours of the night. Some people say that if you can’t sleep you should count sheep. Scripture offers a very different approach. Our passage reminds us to remember God’s faithfulness and goodness.

Notice the words meditate and thoughtfully focus. To meditate means to concentrate deeply, reflecting on God’s Word, His character, and His promises. The world often encourages repeating empty mantras in pursuit of spiritual calm, but Scripture calls us to fill our minds with the truth of God.

During a difficult season in my life, I found myself sitting in my car on a beach in Florida wondering if God was hearing me at all. I had escaped the cold Northeast hoping to enjoy the warm February sunshine. But as I headed toward the beach, a storm began to form.

I decided I would sit on that beach even if it rained. By the time I arrived, the sky was dark and the wind was blowing hard. Looking through my windshield, I noticed a bird with its wings spread wide, effortlessly soaring as the storm winds carried it. Suddenly the Holy Spirit impressed something on my heart: “Let the storm carry you.”

In that moment the lesson became clear. I had been looking at the storm only as a threat, never considering how God might use it to strengthen me. I grabbed my journal and wrote this song to the Lord

Let the tides of trouble restore my soul,
Let the winds of change renew me.
Let the storms of life strengthen my heart,
Anchor me in Your love.

Let Your Spirit fall, break down my fortress walls,
Consume me with Your awesome love.
In the shelter of Your wings I will rest.

So anchor me, anchor me,
Consume me with Your awesome love.
In the shelter of Your wings I will rest.

Scripture reminds us that our relationship with God often produces a song even in the night. The Psalmist writes:

“Deep calls to deep at the [thundering] sound of Your waterfalls; All Your breakers and Your waves have rolled over me. Yet the LORD will command His lovingkindness in the daytime,
And in the night His song will be with me, A prayer to the God of my life.” Psalm 42:7–8 AMP

There are seasons when deep waters seem to roll over our lives. Jesus never promised His followers a life free from difficulty. In fact, He warned them that trials would come. Yet He also gave them this promise:

“I have told you these things so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation and trials and distress and frustration; but be of good cheer [take courage; be confident, certain, undaunted]! For I have overcome the world.” John 16:33 AMP

During difficult seasons we must hold fast to what we know is true: God is faithful. He is the safe harbor we run to when storms rage. When the winds rise and the waves crash around us, remember this: He is still holding you.

Have a blessed day,
Pastor Ken