Do not fear;
Zion, let not your hands be weak.
The Lord your God in your midst,
The Mighty One, will save;
He will rejoice over you with gladness,
He will quiet you with His love,
He will rejoice over you with singing. Zephaniah 3:16-17
I’m a light sleeper. My husband snores. Its not a good combo, these days. I do everything imaginable to block out sound, short of these “never hear anything ever, not even a jackhammer in the hallway” ear plugs my mother in law gave me. I would love to wear them, but unfortunately, there would be no one to help my sweet Mackenzie in the night if she cried out; Michael sleeping solidly without earplugs and me with the earplugs – it just isn’t a good plan.
A few weeks ago, I found myself in bed one night desperately trying to fall asleep. I was tossing and turning, I was wide awake and yes, I confess I was worrying.
You know, I’ve always been good at worrying. Combine that with a need to control every last step of my life’s path and you’ve got me: a woman with little to no sleep some nights.
Well, on that night a while back, I had this moment where I remembered these verses from Zephaniah. I had just been reading them – and, not by coincidence my Uncle Don had just reminded me of them as well – “he will quiet you, he will sing over you…” And I called out,
“Can you help me quiet down? All the noise in my head is so loud, I can’t hear what you’re singing.”
And in a very strange turn of events for me, this chronic worrier who has never thought to cry out for help this way in the middle of the night, He answered my plea. Peace flooded the room. And when I say peace, I mean every negative thought, every difficult question in my head, all of the loud noise of worry that my mind was trying to contain, it was all washed away in His presence.
For the first time in my life the Prince of Peace overcame my darkness and He kept His promise: He did quiet me with His love song in the night.
I woke up many times in the night, and every time my mind tried to remember all of my fears, all I could hear was the same song echoing in my ears. It was as if He sat right beside my bed singing to me all night long, just in case I woke up. I’ve tried to remember the tune or the words, but to no avail. All I can remember is this: He loves me, He is with me and He’s singing.
He’s always singing when I need it.
There was something so powerfuland life changing for me with this experience. I’m not saying I don’t have fears anymore. Sure, of course, I do. Most people do. But, knowing that my Heavenly Father, the God and Creator of this Universe, cares for me gives me so much courage and confidence.
Thank you Heavenly Father that you are this promise keeping God. I’m so grateful that I could hear your song when I needed it so much. Help me to always be listening for You. amen.
daily portion 