I sat down on the rocker and for a while just gazed at the moon, pondering the blessings and workings of the Lord.”
–D. C. Adkisson (Redemption)
“The blessing of the LORD makes one rich, and He adds no sorrow with it.”
–Proverbs 10:22 (NKJV)
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My Aunt Bern had a real problem with insomnia. She simply couldn’t sleep at night, but then during the sermon on Sunday mornings she would invariably start to nod off. This embarrassed her to no end, and finally she went to the Pastor to apologize. He was a gracious man, and taking her hand he said to her, “I’m so glad that my sermons are helping somebody.”
There have been few times in my life when I couldn’t sleep. It would be hard for me to remember them, therefore, it is hard for me to understand the reasons why sleep just doesn’t come to some people. William J. Petersen gives this advice, “As you hit the pillow, don’t waste time fretting about your enemies or the various struggles in your life. Meditate on the Lord through the night, and let him give your soul the rest it needs.”
Psalm 63, shows that David was having a problem sleeping, but he took the right action.
6 — When I remember You on my bed, I meditate on You in the night watches.
7 — Because You have been my help, therefore in the shadow of Your wings I will rejoice.
8 — My soul follows close behind You; Your right hand upholds me.
9 — But those who seek my life, to destroy it, shall go into the lower parts of the earth.
10 — They shall fall by the sword; they shall be a portion for jackals.
11 — But the king shall rejoice in God; everyone who swears by Him shall glory; by the mouth of those who speak lies shall be stopped. (NKJV)
I have mentioned before that I pray before going to bed that if I wake up I expect the Holy Spirit to bring to my mind a “Midnight Hymn.” Troubles can keep us awake. Why? Isn’t the Lord our answer? Worries about the virus, the vaccine, sickness, and death can keep a person awake. Why? Isn’t Jesus the Prince of Peace? Worries about tomorrow, jobs, security, safety, finances, and on…why? Jesus is our Rock and strong tower.
Notice, David remembers God and all that He has done for Him in the past. He remembers the times that God has helped him through situations in life. God is always there; He is always faithful. When sleep vanishes, begin to meditate on what the Lord has already accomplished for you. Begin to do what the chorus of the old song says,
“Count your blessings, Name them one by one;
Count your blessings, See what God hath done;
Count your blessings, Name them one by one;
Count your many blessings, See what God hath done.”
–Johnson Oatman, Jr.
Count your blessings, don’t dwell on your problems. Count your blessings, don’t dwell on your failures. Count your blessings, don’t focus on your regrets. Count your blessings, put worries, fears, and doubts aside. If we are awake at night the devil would like for us to lose sleep, become fatigued and dwell on failures, past sins, and regret our lives. “The meditation of anything hath more sweetness than bare remembrance. The memory is the chest in which to lay up a truth, but meditation is the palate to feed upon it.” (John Wells). Remember the greatness, goodness, and faithfulness of God. Meditate upon His Word, and how He brought you through trials of the past.
“Jesus, give the weary
Calm and sweet repose;
With Thy tend’rest blessing
May mine eyelids close.”
–George Matheson
–Proverbs 10:22 (NKJV)
———————————————-
My Aunt Bern had a real problem with insomnia. She simply couldn’t sleep at night, but then during the sermon on Sunday mornings she would invariably start to nod off. This embarrassed her to no end, and finally she went to the Pastor to apologize. He was a gracious man, and taking her hand he said to her, “I’m so glad that my sermons are helping somebody.”
There have been few times in my life when I couldn’t sleep. It would be hard for me to remember them, therefore, it is hard for me to understand the reasons why sleep just doesn’t come to some people. William J. Petersen gives this advice, “As you hit the pillow, don’t waste time fretting about your enemies or the various struggles in your life. Meditate on the Lord through the night, and let him give your soul the rest it needs.”
Psalm 63, shows that David was having a problem sleeping, but he took the right action.
6 — When I remember You on my bed, I meditate on You in the night watches.
7 — Because You have been my help, therefore in the shadow of Your wings I will rejoice.
8 — My soul follows close behind You; Your right hand upholds me.
9 — But those who seek my life, to destroy it, shall go into the lower parts of the earth.
10 — They shall fall by the sword; they shall be a portion for jackals.
11 — But the king shall rejoice in God; everyone who swears by Him shall glory; by the mouth of those who speak lies shall be stopped. (NKJV)
I have mentioned before that I pray before going to bed that if I wake up I expect the Holy Spirit to bring to my mind a “Midnight Hymn.” Troubles can keep us awake. Why? Isn’t the Lord our answer? Worries about the virus, the vaccine, sickness, and death can keep a person awake. Why? Isn’t Jesus the Prince of Peace? Worries about tomorrow, jobs, security, safety, finances, and on…why? Jesus is our Rock and strong tower.
Notice, David remembers God and all that He has done for Him in the past. He remembers the times that God has helped him through situations in life. God is always there; He is always faithful. When sleep vanishes, begin to meditate on what the Lord has already accomplished for you. Begin to do what the chorus of the old song says,
“Count your blessings, Name them one by one;
Count your blessings, See what God hath done;
Count your blessings, Name them one by one;
Count your many blessings, See what God hath done.”
–Johnson Oatman, Jr.
Count your blessings, don’t dwell on your problems. Count your blessings, don’t dwell on your failures. Count your blessings, don’t focus on your regrets. Count your blessings, put worries, fears, and doubts aside. If we are awake at night the devil would like for us to lose sleep, become fatigued and dwell on failures, past sins, and regret our lives. “The meditation of anything hath more sweetness than bare remembrance. The memory is the chest in which to lay up a truth, but meditation is the palate to feed upon it.” (John Wells). Remember the greatness, goodness, and faithfulness of God. Meditate upon His Word, and how He brought you through trials of the past.
“Jesus, give the weary
Calm and sweet repose;
With Thy tend’rest blessing
May mine eyelids close.”
–George Matheson