The night hours

I will bless the Lord who guides me; even at night my heart instructs me. You will show me the way of life, granting me the joy of your presence and the pleasures of living with you forever. (Psalm 16:7,11)

We can never underestimate the peace our hearts experience when we listen to and follow God's instructions. God's guidance isn't always "consciously sought", for there are times when he just comes to us within the stillness or peacefulness of our night's sleep. We may not even realize he has spoken to us, giving us that much needed direction, until we awaken and feel what he has done.

As David says, "You are my Master! All the good things I have come from you." (vs. 2) When we refuse to make ourselves comfortable with the pursuit of this world's treasures, aspirations, or alluring temptations, we might just find we hear God's voice just a little clearer. What does it mean to "be at peace"? I believe it means we aren't swayed easily, like a reed that bends with each wind that comes along. We await God's wisdom and actively seek his direction. 

Why do we so often hear from God at night? Maybe it is because we are finally quiet and alone with our thoughts. It is as though he takes all the muddle of the day and sorts it out for us so we can see it clearly. The things that caused us so much worry all day seem to become less troubling as he settles out spirit, engages our senses, and refreshes our soul.

You will show me the way of life - perhaps all we can ask for is to come to know him well. Maybe we need life's entanglements and frustrations to be worked out, or it could be that we find ourselves with doubt and fear because we don't know what to do next. No matter the cause of our 'need' for his wisdom and peace, he remains the only way we will find it. Know this: God's voice may seem the clearest in the night hour because all the other voices demanding our attention aren't. Just sayin!