Beautiful Word Devotional #143

On my bed I remember you; I think of you through the watches of the night.

Psalm 63:6

The watches of the night were military time periods—from dusk to 10:00 p.m., 10:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m., and 2:00 a.m. to dawn—indicating the shifts when soldiers kept watch over the nation and the temple. These could be lonely periods of time when the soldier had to fight off sleep and stay extremely alert in case predators or enemies came near.

David, the author of this psalm, was a soldier and therefore familiar with such a military assignment. Even if he never served as a sentry, he knew of the duty and referred to it as he lay restless, sleepless, this night. In his wakefulness, David chose to think about God and pray to him.

The next time you have a wakeful night, follow David’s example. Turn a night of tossing and turning into an opportunity to be with your God. Praise him and pray to him. Rest in his presence.

God will meet you in those quiet moments. In fact, he keeps watch over you all through the night, every night.

Lord, thank you for keeping watch over me and over my family, amen.