Your 24/7 Companion – Day 17

Insomnia is one of the many problems of today. The causes range from stress, fear and worry to over-tiredness, a busy schedule and so on.

In Psalm 3, the author, on the one hand, experiences fear and stress because his son Absalom threatens his life, thus he bemoans his need of God. On the other hand, he declares his unwavering confidence in God. God is the one who protects him, honours him and lifts up his head (Psalm 3:3). With this declaration of God (and himself), he realises that God knows him inside out and that he may loudly call out to him for help (Psalm 3:4). It dawned on him that God is also “my God” (Psalm 3:7). No wonder, then, that he could make a declaration that knocked out his fear: “I lie down and sleep; I wake again because the Lord sustains me.” (Psalm 3:5)

In Christ, you may also call God my God. Because he cares and sustains you, he is the only one who is able to deliver you and give hope to rise the next day. The psalmist’s situation did not necessarily change immediately after his prayer, but he got a divine perspective on his situation – a perspective of faith that God protects him and is his God.

In Psalm 4, the source of his concern is his fellow man’s accusations. He wonders how long they will keep it up but at the same time, declares that their charges are dwarfed by God’s ability to assist, to answer when he calls for help and that the joy God gives, even exceeds material prosperity by far. Victoriously, he finally calls out, “I would lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.” (Psalm 4:8)

The emotions we experience in difficult circumstances are normal, but when the believer can’t sleep and his joy is stolen from him, a red light should go on. Then, the time has come to do what the psalmist did: confess God’s omnipotence, thus calling yourself back into Hope.