My eyes fluttered open, but the room was still dark. It was too early to
get up. I sighed, adjusted my pillow, and hoped for sleep. Unfortunately, a
lengthy to-do list bombarded my brain. I needed to buy groceries, deliver a
meal to a friend, answer e-mail, schedule a doctor’s appointment . . . .
If you’ve ever been overwhelmed and worried, you know how it feels to
stare at the ceiling when you should be sleeping. The writer of Psalm 119 was
no stranger to this experience. He wrote, “I rise before the dawning of the
morning, and cry for help; I hope in Your Word” (v.147).
God’s Word delivered special comfort during the psalmist’s sleepless
nights. Although he couldn’t make his problems disappear, he said, “My eyes are
awake through the night watches, that I may meditate on Your Word” (v.148). At
night he reviewed God’s Word over and over in his mind. He concentrated on
Scripture rather than his concerns. This practice allowed him to proclaim, “Oh,
how I love Your law!” (v.97).
When worry wakes you up, remember, “The Word of God is living and
powerful” (Heb. 4:12). Select a passage and mull it over. Our cares cannot
compete with God’s Word!
Only God can still our hearts and quiet our minds. (RBC)
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