In Returning and Rest

 Do not let your hearts be troubled. –John 14:16

We’d received some disturbing news about a family member’s health earlier in the day. It seemed like a dark cloud entered and hung around after learning my brother-in-law’s health was worse than we first thought. We prayed for him and my husband felt a bit better after speaking with his brother on the phone. 

Even amid disheartening news, we did the things we knew would lighten our heart and help us keep a positive outlook as we wait for more information and to hear a good plan of care going forward.    

Jesus said we should not let our heart be troubled. His careful choice of words affirm we have control over the condition of our heart. Jesus implies we are to be the ruler of our heart and not allow our heart to rule us. 

At first it may not seem as though we have a choice. Sometimes it seems events, circumstances, or the news we receive during the day determine the state or condition of our heart. 

But no matter what kind of day we’ve had, what kind of news we’ve received, nighttime is the time we are to turn even more to God and lighten our mind by giving all concerns to him. God is faithful to come and take our burden. He’ll come and take a load off our mind and heart. Our troubles are in good hands when we let Jesus have them.    

Giving the Day to God

Lord, thank you for coming beside us when we’ve heard or learned of disturbing news during the day. You assure us you have compassion on us and will soothe and comfort our burdened and troubled heart so we can rest.

   Now there was a Pharisee, a man named Nicodemus who was a member of the Jewish ruling council. He came to Jesus at night.—John 3:1-2

Nicodemus was a ruler of the Jews, and a teacher of Israel, a man of considerable influence and knowledge. His secret visit to Jesus led to a significant discourse recorded only by John the Apostle. 

He is also described in John 19:38 as a disciple of Jesus; albeit a secret one because he was afraid of the Jews. 

This prominent Pharisee met Jesus at night when everyone else was asleep and received a spiritual teaching on spiritual rebirth.

You may not be a secret disciple of Christ, but you may talk to him at night when everyone else in your household are asleep and you can have the kind of conversation you need with him; open, honest, intimate, without others within earshot. 

We can come to Jesus anytime of the day or night. But at times, we may find nighttime lends itself to the quietness we need. It could be that all the day’s activities are wrapped up and we can spend time with Jesus without time constraints or the need to meet the demands or needs of others. 

Morning prayer may find us rushed. Read a few verses just to start our day. Midday prayer may be isolated to lunch breaks, while doing some work at our desk or in between tasks, but nighttime is our time to sit with our Savior and be taught directly by him.

Giving the Day to Jesus

Jesus, nighttime prayer is more than recounting the day’s activities. I’m not a secret follower but talking to you at night strengthens and enlightens me… 

 You give them relief from troubled times. –Psalm 94:13

Jenny was determined to complete her report before giving herself a chance to rest. She dozed and found herself drifting off, but each time she got up and stretched, wiped her face with a damp cloth and refreshed her coffee mug with steaming coffee strong enough to keep anyone awake. Her eyes were heavy, but she still had work to do. Her boss would be looking for her report on his desk first thing in the morning. She was determined to impress him with her efficiency and let him see how reliable and professional she was.     

Jenny made the deadline and turned her report in on time but disappointed, when her boss called her in and pointed out how many mistakes she had made. She would need to make revisions. Maybe Jenny would have done better to take that rest and then work on completing the report. Even if it was late, it would have been accurate.

God makes a promise to give us relief and rest. Whether it’s the relief we need after a season or times of adversity and affliction or the rest that’s needed after a long day at work. Rest and relief are signs of God’s mercy. God grants rest and relief in order that we can replenish and experience his rebuilding and restoration. 

It’s not a sign of weakness when we stop and rest but acceptance that we are just as God says is his word, “frail humans” (Ps. 103:14) with physical demands and limitations. We only have so much energy, so much physical, emotional, or mental stamina. Even when Jesus was God/Man he rested. He had a divine nature, but the flesh also needed care and demands that had to be satisfied. He became hungry so he ate, tired, so he rested. 

Like Jenny, we can push and push beyond our natural limit. We may make those deadlines but we may also make mistakes we wouldn’t make if we were rested and refreshed.

Giving the Day to God

God, at times, there are deadlines I need to meet and while it seems smart and more productive to push through even when I’m exhausted, the mistakes I could make in the process may not be worth it…  

 For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? –Galatians 1:10

When we spend our days pursuing and focused on pleasing God our nights are easier and more peaceful. 

Do we have peace of mind and heart at the end of the day that we have God’s approval of how we’ve behaved, treated others, responded in crisis, managed our emotions in a God-pleasing way, made our decisions, been a good steward of the resources He’s given. It’s not perfection we need to aim for, only the desire to please him. God is not judging us or standing ready to condemn us on for the ways we failed or missed the mark. He is a forgiving God and full of compassion and understanding.  

When we have done our best and all under the power and guidance of the Holy Spirit we can have peace. Jesus fills in where we fall short. He makes up for our failures and the gaps we leave. By the end of the day we can give the day over to God in peace knowing he grants rest for those he loves.

Giving the Day to God

Thank you, Lord, for covering me today and giving me time to rest and regroup for the coming day. I’ve done my best to have your approval today. Thank you for the night.  

The LORD reigns over the floodwaters.  The LORD reigns as king forever. The LORD gives his people strength. The LORD blesses them with peace. –Psalm 29:10-11

Psalm 29 is David’s composition of powerful exhortation honoring and acknowledging the grandeur and might of God. From beginning to end it portrays the majestic voice of the Lord echoing through nature, commanding both awe and reverence. It’s compelling imagery and emotive language, serves as a reminder of God’s power and glory resonating through all creation and invites us to worship and trust in God’s sovereignty, while finding comfort in his promise of strength and peace no matter what kind of storms life brings.  

We may be reminded that some days may end on a high note, when everything has gone well but there are others that end on a low note, when the “floodwaters” have come crashing in and been high. 

Everything bad or negative or disappointing that could happen, did. We may approach bedtime feeling anxious, devastated, uncertain. David reminds us of what the LORD our God does and who He is. On days when the storm clouds are hovering, the rains pouring, the dreaded comes, God is with us. He reigns over the floodwaters that have rushed into our well balanced and measured lives. He reigns over the heart and gut-wrenching events that threaten to sweep over us.

At the end of some days there are no quick or easy answers to the things that have come to us. We cannot close our eyes with the thought that things went well, or at least ended on a good note. And even though there are troubles—as troubles always exist on some level—at least things for the most part are under control, instead our head is swirling with what the day brought and our heart is beating fast. The imagery David and language David supplies become our lifeboat in the storm, our anchor that keeps us steady. God is with us. He has not left us. We are not a little dingy tossed around in turbulent waters, but cradled securely in the arms of our mighty God who reigns over the floodwaters and is the provider of peace. 

Giving the Day to God

Thank you, Lord for showing us who you are and reminding us of what you do and where you are. Because you reign and rule over the floodwaters we can rest. The world is in your care and so are the details of my life…   

  For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse—Romans 1:19-20

How many ways did you see God today? Were you looking for Him? If you were then you didn’t miss Him since God leaves his footprints and impressions everywhere. 

Since God’s been with you all day it doesn’t make sense that He would leave you at night. The same God that’s been hovering, protecting, providing, caring for you all day will stay with you all night. 

One of the reasons a baby and children fret when night comes is because they don’t want to be away from their mother. Going to bed means separation even if only for a short time and separation brings on anxiety and introduces fear.

We don’t have to fret. We can go to sleep and be at peace. God will not leave us. He doesn’t require sleep nor bathroom breaks so He doesn’t need to close His eyes nor excuse Himself. All night He’s with us. Since the beginning of the world God’s invisible qualities have shone through. We can’t miss Him. They are just as visible in the night as they are in the day, perhaps even more so. We can look out and see God in the stars and the moon. He’s in the trees rustling in the night breezes and the small nocturnal animals scurrying on the ground. He’s everywhere we can see and everywhere we can’t. 

Giving the Day to God

Heavenly Father You fill up the universe. During the day I see signs of your existence everywhere and at night You are still the same present and active God    

  When I awake I am still with you—Psalm 139:18

Getting small children and babies to sleep can sometimes take patience. Children don’t want to let go of the day easily. As we snuggle next to them, we might read them a story or sing soft lullabies to comfort and reassure them that we’ll be right there, they have nothing to fear, they can close their eyes and be at peace to sleep. In truth we are just waiting for them to drift off to sleep so we can ease out of the room and either to our own bed or to whatever the evening or night holds for us. When they wake up, we may be somewhere nearby, but we are not in that space with them. 

We go to sleep but when we awake, we are still with God and God is still with us. He has never left us; never taken his eyes off us for one second of the night. He’s just waiting for us to open our eyes and start our day. God will go with us all day long. God doesn’t sleep nor need rest like humans do. He keeps watch day and night. We’re never without his guarding, covering, or protection.  

Giving the Day to God

God, thank You for staying with me all night. Your protective covering is always with me  

  God gives his people peace—Psalm 29:11

Guarding the peace God sends especially important at the end of the day, as we prepare to close out our day because that’s the time both the enemy without and within stir and want to separate us from that peace. Provoked by the enemy without our inner thoughts and emotions turn to worry and our last-minute thoughts lead us away from God to worry. The feelings that try to sweep over us that make us feel unwell in our spirit, instead of our memories turning to the pleasant, they turn to hurtful or painful encounters that want to settle on our brain right before going to bed can rob us, not only of a good night’s sleep but the peace of God that has filled us all day. 

The gift of God for his children at the end of the day or any time of day is peace. That peace that transcends all human understanding. That peace that fills us, even though life is chaotic, of falling apart. The kind of peace we receive from God cannot be realized through human effort. We can’t strive or work for it. There are no pills we can swallow to have it, we can’t buy or borrow it, but God sends it to everyone who puts their thoughts on and trust in him. 

As the evening draws near we can ask God to give us his peace and remove anything that will keep us from his gift of rest.

Giving the Day to God

God, there is so many ways my brain can go at the close of the day. Mostly all the paths undo the peace you give. Let me always choose the one that leads me back to you.   

 And whatsoever you do in word or deed, do all I the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him—Colossians 3:17

It was Theordore Roosevelt who said, “Do what you can with what you have, right where you are.”

Is that what your day was like? Were you able to accomplish that? If so, don’t spend the evening and night hours accusing, second-guessing, or condemning yourself about the decisions you made in your day. If you did what you could with what you have and used the moment before you to the best of your ability, then count it a good day and consider yourself wise according to God’s wisdom afforded you. 

Giving the Day to God

Father, I did the best I could with what I had at my disposal today in that moment. May I release the day to You and enjoy a peaceful evening and night…  

  Every good and perfect gift comes from above—James 1:17

Our littlest granddaughters are funny. Especially one in particular. Allyssa is four and loves to give her granddad and Nana gifts. If we’re leaving her house after a visit or stopping by she will run upstairs or outdoors and come back with something in her hand to present to us. It could be a game piece, a handful of sticks from outside, a dried dandelion. It doesn’t matter just as long as it’s something for us to bring home with us. The same happens if she has been visiting with us. She can’t leave without that small gift of some kind. Her granddad made the mistake of leaving a picture behind she had drawn for him with crayons. When she came to visit, she brought it with her telling him he’d left it, and it was important that he have it.

If we pay attention, God is leaving us love gifts all day. Little pieces of Him. His footprints, love notes, and gifts are everywhere. When He gives them to us, we shouldn’t treat them as nothing or unimportant, but pay attention and treasure each one. 

Giving the Day to God

Father, help me do a better job of spotting your love gifts to me because they are everywhere from the time I wake up until the time I lay my head, you are sharing pieces of Yourself. Today I saw Your love come to me through… 

My husband and I love keeping up on world events, but we’ve found it’s better for us not to end our day that way. Too many disturbing reports centering on violence, or the chaos of this world keeps us from sleeping peacefully. Stories of rampant crime and violence, murders, break-in’s hostage situations, wars, and so on make us toss and turn.

Theologian and Church Reformer Martin Luther was known to say we should say a prayer and quickly turn out the lights. There’s a lot to be said allowing the last thing we hear or see be centered on our great God who rules heaven and earth. Closing our eyes after reading our Bible or saying our prayers can help our sleep be sound and sweet.

Choosing not to tune in to the chaos of this world right before bed is not denial its protection for our mind and our sleep. It’s better to turn it off than to be turned off to sleep and rest.

Giving The Day to God

God, there is so much that goes on in this world, so much news that comes to us in real-time, so much that could disturb us an cause us to worry instead of rest. I give you all the images that have been disturbing to me throughout my day…          

 He won’t let you stumble, your Guardian God won’t fall asleep. Not on your life! Israel’s Guardian will never doze or sleep—Psalm 121:3-4

Locks, deadbolts, alarm and security systems, guard dogs, ring doorbells, motion-detectors…all of these can give us comfort when night falls. We might sleep more soundly, rest easier knowing we are well guarded but there’s nothing like the understanding that God is guarding us, watching over us day and night. 

The Israelites had enemies on all sides. Their city walls were filled with watchmen whose job it was to keep watch over the city. Men were stationed on the northern, southern, eastern, and western walls so they could spot approaching enemies. 

If you’re not nocturnal by nature you might have difficulty keeping your eyes open in the wee hours of the night and find yourself dozing and nodding. The night watchmen couldn’t afford to slip off into sleep. They needed to be alert at all times so they could sound the alarm if they saw any movement. How comforting and assuring knowing God promised to be their Guardian God. 

God does not slumber nor sleep. He is always watching over us. His eyelids never get heavy, and He does not nod or drift off.   

We don’t have to get rid of our security measures, but we can know even more dependable than they are our Guardian God who doesn’t doze nor fall asleep.

Giving the Day to God

Thank You, God for guarding us day and night. Your watchfulness allows me to fall asleep and stay asleep. I have security measures in place but there is no greater security than knowing you…   

Heavenly Father I thank You for the day’s journey and for bringing me through. Thank You for Your patience and grace. Thank You for those You placed in my life to share this journey with me. Thank You for helping me with the daily tasks and for giving me wisdom when I needed to problem-solve. Thank You for helping me live the very best I can and to respond in ways that glorify You and make you proud of me. Thank You for helping me know the difference between peace and chaos and for helping me choose the path of peace over chaos. Thank You for the promise of Your love and protection which keeps me from living in worry and fear. Thank you for Your promises that give me hope and help me anchor. Lastly, thank You for giving me a forgiving heart which helps me close out my day in peace and go to sleep with a clear conscience and unburdened soul. Amen    

  But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope. The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness—Lamentations 3:21-23

Jeremiah was calling to mind that the love of God was steadfast and never ceased. He was remembering God’s mercies never come to an end and they are new every morning. He was recalling that God is faithful.

At the close of day what are you calling to mind? What are you going over in your mind? The things you never got to do but had planned to do in your day? Your things-to-do list for tomorrow? Errands and appointments? Problems you have no solution. Conversations that didn’t go so well.   

So many things we could recall at the end of the day but none of them will bring the peace we need to have a good night’s sleep. It would serve us better to do as Jeremiah did, recall that God is steadfast, that His love for us never ceases, and His mercies never come to an end but are new each day just waiting on us to wake up and get our day started.

Giving the Day to God

God, at the close of my day keep me from recalling anything that would only lead to distress and sleeplessness. Today I choose to recall that You are…   

  And don’t sin let by letting anger control you.” Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry—Ephesians 4:26

Anxiety isn’t the only thing that can keep us from having a good night’s sleep. Going to bed with anger simmering inside us will keep us from resting well. Angry exchanges, hurt feelings can make us toss and turn and even if we do close our eyes, it’s not a restful, restorative sleep. When we get up the next morning, we don’t even feel like we’ve been asleep; more like in a wrestling match.

Anger in itself is not sin, even Jesus felt angry at times it’s what we do with anger that can lead to sin. If we find ourselves in a place where the matter cannot be resolved before bed, we can agree to let the matter rest with the Lord, call it a night and release it to the Him so we can be at peace with the matter or person we are having conflict with for the time being even if that means putting some space between us. If the option is to sleep or spend the night in continued conflict, brooding, or wrestling with feelings of revenge then sleep is the better choice.

The ceasing of unkind words and silencing of angry exchanges may not change the heart’s hurt for the night but the immediate quieting of the tongue can go a long way in putting us on track for repairing the damage that’s been done and restoring the relationship. 

Even if our prayer before sleep is that we lean not on our own understanding but trust God, a prayer of seeking God’s wisdom and solution and helping us come to a peaceful resolution, that in itself will take power away from anger, keep anger from controlling our thoughts, words, and actions and allow us to rest and not wrestle with angry feelings the whole night through.

Giving the Day to God

God, sometimes we cannot resolve disputes before bed, when that happens quiet out thoughts, and our mouths so no further damage is done. Until we can resolve our conflict, I pray…    

 For we are to God the pleasing aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing (2 Corinthians 2:15)

I have a good friend whose husband went home to be with the Lord last year. She’s having trouble sleeping at night. Nighttime is the time she misses him most and often wakes up and cannot go back to sleep. I suggested she bring something to bed that still has his scent. She talked about a body lotion he used which she still has. We agreed, maybe rubbing a bit of his lotion on her hands or other areas may give her comfort and help her sleep.

Paul wrote we are a pleasing aroma of Christ to those who are being saved and by those who are perishing. We are not the odor or stench of death but the sweet smelling scent of life. Bringing all that Christ brings we are a reviving, soothing presence welcomed into the lives of all we meet.   

Many people love a little aromatherapy before bed. It soothes and calms them. The scent released through candles or diffusers introduces peace or other welcoming energy into our environment much like the peace we introduce into the environment and presence of others when we wear the fragrance of Christ.

Giving the Day to God

God thank you for pleasing aromas and sweet endings to our day. Amen 

  We will not hide them from their children, but tell to the coming generation the glorious deeds of the LORD, and his might, and the wonders that he has done—Psalm 78:3-4

One of our granddaughters has made it a habit to text me and her granddad at the close of the day and to check on us. She always asks how our day was and what we will be up to as we wind down from the day’s activities. 

Recently I realized I was missing an opportunity to plant a seed in her heart that would support her own faith journey. I will share the activities I plan to do as I wind down, but I have not been sure to include my time of prayer and devotion before going to sleep and share how much peace and comfort I have found through this simple routine over the years. 

Asaph wrote we should remember to pass down to the coming generations the things we have learned about our God. And especially about His glorious deeds, His might, and the wonders He has done.

No day is without the Lord’s goodness to us so I should have something new to share with her every day!

Giving the Day to God 

Good and gracious Lord, help me remember at the end of the day to not only reflect on your goodness, might and wonders but to ask myself if I’ve shared your goodness with others. I want to start this new practice beginning with…  

  Whatever is good and perfect is a gift coming down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow—James 1:17

We don’t have to be children to be afraid of shadows at night. Every shadow looks like an intruder, a scary monster just waiting pounce. It doesn’t help if we’ve been watching scary movies. We may sleep with the lights on if we’re scared enough.

James writes that there is no shadow of turning with God. Meaning nothing about God is deceptive. There are no illusions with God. God does not change or shift. As the writer of Hebrews says, Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever (Heb. 13:5). 

The consistency and constancy of God is our comfort day and night. Knowing God is who He says He is and will never deceive us, can strengthen us when the sun is shining brightly or when the moon is out and there are storm clouds in the sky. 

God is the One who sends perfect gifts to His children and sleep is one of those perfect gifts. God helps us go to sleep with a peaceful heart and the understanding He is watching over us. We don’t have to fear shadows and we don’t have to fear His leaving us, not even for one second of the night.

Giving the Day to God

Heavenly Father, sometimes shadows can scare us. We don’t have to be a child to become fearful in the night. Sometimes the problems of the day casts a shadow over the night. I pray, take those things from my day’s journey and…           

  But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is perfected in weakness.”—2 Corinthians 12:9

Insomnia is defined as someone who has trouble falling asleep or staying asleep on a regular basis. They often experience sleeplessness, leading to fatigue and daytime drowsiness. I’ve experienced insomnia at times and its physically and emotionally draining. 

People with insomnia may have an inability to obtain sufficient sleep but Paul reminds us that there is something that is not insufficient and that the grace of God.

Paul had a health condition that he asked God to take away three times, but God told him His grace was going to be sufficient to keep him going and give him strength. 

Insomnia can often be due to other underlying health conditions. When we experience insomnia, making an appointment with our doctor can be helpful, at least to rule out anything more. Insomnia can also be caused by stress, too much stimulation before bed or other reasons. 

God’s grace is His gift to weary and sleep deprived people. God doesn’t want us to miss out on our sleep and rest but when we do His grace to strengthen us is with us even as look into what’s causing our sleeplessness.

Giving the Day to God         

God, I don’t always realize how much stress I’m under and how it impacts my health. When I can’t sleep I pray that You will…  

 The end of all things is near. Therefore be clear-minded and sober, so that you can pray—I Peter 4:7

What’s your evening routine like? Do you like to try and tie up any loose ends: clear out or answer your emails? Send out those last texts before shutting your devices down? Check your messages? Tidy up your desk? Putting the dishes away? Throwing that last load of clothes in the dryer? Finish up some paperwork…

Sometimes the loose ends that need to be tied up are much bigger and broader than can be done in one night. Sometimes we must be at peace and release ourselves to say goodnight, put the day behind us, go to bed without tying up those loose ends. We can only do as much as we can each day. Keeping our priorities straight during the day will help but at times, the day takes on a shape of its own, unexpected and unplanned events pop up, people need us and we need to be there for them—after all Jesus put people first—which means at times there are many things that haven’t been addressed by the day’s end. 

Tomorrow’s another day. We pray God to give us rest even when all the ends aren’t nice and tidy.

Good night. Sleep well.

Giving the Day to God

God, I don’t always get to tie up my loose ends. Thank You that tomorrow’s another day…   

  Epaphras, who is one of you and a servant of Christ Jesus, sends greetings. He is always wrestling in prayer for you, that you may stand firm in all the will of God, mature and fully assured—Ephesians 4:12

Have you had something on your mind and heart or perhaps something a friend is going through that stayed with you all night? Didn’t stop weighing on you just because the sun went down.  

There are times the things we grapple with for ourselves or for others that don’t disappear once the sun goes down. Times night becomes, not a time of sleep and rest but a time of wrestling prayer.

Paul’s friend and ministry companion had a reputation of being a man of prayer. Epaphras was well known for his faithfulness in prayer and that he would continue in prayer, seeking God until answers manifested in the lives of those he prayed for.

Worry takes us round and round in our head, but prayer leads us to the throne of God. God doesn’t want us held captive by our worries through the night or in the daytime. When nighttime becomes our prayer time will turn it into a holy time.

Giving the Day to God

God, there are times we’re not sleeping at night but praying. There are situations I bring before you tonight that call for prayer…  

Jesus, thank you for your friendship. As I close my eyes tonight, I know that You will never leave me nor forsake me. I am comforted by Your promises spoken over my life, they comfort and support me. 

Jesus, I have so many things to be grateful for: Your faithfulness, You love, Your help, Your love, Your protection, Your grace and mercy, Your forgiveness. All of these and I have not even scratched the surface of what You bring to my life.

Because of Your faithfulness I can rejoice always, pray continually, and give thanks in all circumstances. I long to know the fullness of Your love and to draw close to You and sense Your nearness to me day and night. 

Lord, You are my Rock the One I cling to, my Living Water and the One who keeps me safe and calm. Because You stay with me, I can sleep in peace. Amen  

  The Lord has done great things for us; we are glad.”—Psalm 126:3

Did you witness God doing something great today? Our first response might be, “He woke me up, put breath in my body…” Since we are always looking for the big, over-the-top, magnanimous, but God does something great every day. God can do things in a big way or in small ways. He can burst forth like the early morning rays that burst into darkness of night. Or he can do something so small we might miss it as quick and quiet as the hummingbird that flutters by so quickly, we barely catch a glimpse before it’s gone.  

The day has been filled up with God. Someone, somewhere; a lot of someone’s everywhere have experienced God doing something spectacular and amazing in their life. We don’t need to wait in line until it’s our turn, take a number and wait patiently but just know that God is at work everywhere his children are, doing the unexpected, performing miracles and wonders under our very noses. 

By the end of the day our prayers may not have been answered yet. We might not detect anything different from this morning or yesterday, but we can know God is at work. God doesn’t do anything except work on our behalf in our lives. If we keep our eyes open and our spirit sensitive, we’ll see him at moving all around us and in our circumstances. We can go to sleep hopeful and happy knowing God is at work and he’s doing great things every day and all through the night. 

Goodnight. Sleep well my friend.

Giving the Day to God      

Thank You, God You are always doing great things even if we don’t pick up on them right away. Let me take a moment to tell you thanks for…  

  The Lord has done great things for us; we are glad.”—Psalm 126:3

Did you witness God doing something great today? Our first response might be, “He woke me up, put breath in my body…” Since we are always looking for the big, over-the-top, magnanimous, but God does something great every day. God can do things in a big way or in small ways. He can burst forth like the early morning rays that burst into darkness of night. Or he can do something so small we might miss it as quick and quiet as the hummingbird that flutters by so quickly, we barely catch a glimpse before it’s gone.  

The day has been filled up with God. Someone, somewhere; a lot of someone’s everywhere have experienced God doing something spectacular and amazing in their life. We don’t need to wait in line until it’s our turn, take a number and wait patiently but just know that God is at work everywhere his children are, doing the unexpected, performing miracles and wonders under our very noses. 

By the end of the day our prayers may not have been answered yet. We might not detect anything different from this morning or yesterday, but we can know God is at work. God doesn’t do anything except work on our behalf in our lives. If we keep our eyes open and our spirit sensitive, we’ll see him at moving all around us and in our circumstances. We can go to sleep hopeful and happy knowing God is at work and he’s doing great things every day and all through the night. 

Goodnight. Sleep well my friend.

Giving the Day to God      

Thank You, God You are always doing great things even if we don’t pick up on them right away. Let me take a moment to tell you thanks for…  

city with broken-down walls—Proverbs 25:28, NLT

There may be many reasons we are glad to close out a day and look forward to a new day. Just like new calendar years, new days provide opportunities for new starts. Solomon’s proverb is a reminder of the dangers of having no self-control. 

In Solomon’s day they would not have felt it was safe nor wise to live in an unprotected city where their enemy could enter undetected anytime they wanted. When the Israelites returned home after a long captivity the first thing they did was begin to rebuild the walls that were in disrepair and needed rebuilding. 

Solomon said living without any self-control is worse than living without the security of walls. We leave ourselves open to enemy invasion and attack when e don’t have any self-control. Some days our self-control may be lacking. We might have given in to things we vowed not to give in to. Our weaknesses may have been dictating what we did, watched, listened to or ate. By the end of the day that’s not a good feeling to have.  

When a day has found us weaker than we are comfortable with or doing things we vowed not to do (again) closing out a day is a welcomed relief. Thank goodness God is forgiving God and has already made provision for new starts. We can close out our day by giving all our weaknesses to the Lord, asking His forgiveness and leaving them at His altar, then going to sleep in peace, knowing tomorrow is a new day.

Giving the Day to God

Heavenly Father, thank You for making provision for new starts. I look forward to tomorrow since today I didn’t manage to…    

 Oil and perfume make the heart glad, and a person’s advice is sweet to his friend—Proverbs 27:9

Is there someone you stay connected to; share a strong bond with? A group of friends from college or someone as far back as your childhood? One or two work friends, a special group of friends from church? A neighbor that lives a few doors down or on the other side of town? 

Do you and your friends often share life wisdom, give each other advice about raising children, work-related things, or marriage? Wise friends who give good advice that we can take to heart are priceless.     

Friendships are life-giving and godly friendships are invaluable. Solomon said a good friend gives us good advice; their advice is sweet to us. 

That’s the kind of friend Jesus is. Our friendship with Jesus may have started in childhood and continues to this day. Or we may have accepted Jesus’ friendship later in life. We don’t have to have been friends with Jesus for years or decades to enjoy his sweet advice and counsel. It’s here for us right away. As Solomon says it’s like perfume that makes our heart glad. Jesus’ love for us is solid and deep. 

Giving the Day to God

Jesus thank you for being my friend and for the sweet advice and guidance you provide. I’ve been wanting to talk to you about…     

You have tried my heart, you have visited me by night, you have tested me, and you will find nothing; I have purposed that my mouth will not transgress. With regard to the works of man, by word of your lips I have avoided the ways of the violent. My steps have held fast to your paths; my feet have not slipped. (Psalm 17:3-5)

Of course we won’t live these lives perfectly; that’s impossible. But it’s a good feeling when we can come to the end of our day and know we did not (intentionally) do harm to others, inflict pain, be counted with those who committed violent acts, have not spoken harshly to others, or spoken against God.

God doesn’t need us to live a perfect life to love, approve, or smile upon us; that is why Jesus came to die for us. He makes up what we lack and where we fall short. But walking with the Lord, living in the shadow of His wings, and doing our best to live a God-pleasing life, we can make God’s heart glad and at days-end our own heart can be gladdened and light as we close our eyes. 

The wicked may not care how much damage they have done during their day. Some may even chalk it up as a good day when they have brought harm to others or caused some kind of trouble. We may never understand their reasoning or delight. But for those who want to please God, do our best to live a trouble-free life, or love living in the shadow of God’s wings where there is peacefulness, a day where they have been able to be identified as God’s child, be known for their gentle ways and kind manners, being able to say they have not transgressed against the Lord makes it a great day and sets them up for a peaceful night.

Giving the Day to God

Heavenly Father, it’s been a good day. I know many have gone out of their way to create trouble or bring pain into the lives of others. Thank you for separating me from that kind of lifestyle. All I want to do is please You by the way I live. Tonight, my heart is especially glad that I did not…    

You have tried my heart, you have visited me by night, you have tested me, and you will find nothing; I have purposed that my mouth will not transgress. With regard to the works of man, by word of your lips I have avoided the ways of the violent. My steps have held fast to your paths; my feet have not slipped. (Psalm 17:3-5)

Of course we won’t live these lives perfectly; that’s impossible. But it’s a good feeling when we can come to the end of our day and know we did not (intentionally) do harm to others, inflict pain, be counted with those who committed violent acts, have not spoken harshly to others, or spoken against God.

God doesn’t need us to live a perfect life to love, approve, or smile upon us; that is why Jesus came to die for us. He makes up what we lack and where we fall short. But walking with the Lord, living in the shadow of His wings, and doing our best to live a God-pleasing life, we can make God’s heart glad and at days-end our own heart can be gladdened and light as we close our eyes. 

The wicked may not care how much damage they have done during their day. Some may even chalk it up as a good day when they have brought harm to others or caused some kind of trouble. We may never understand their reasoning or delight. But for those who want to please God, do our best to live a trouble-free life, or love living in the shadow of God’s wings where there is peacefulness, a day where they have been able to be identified as God’s child, be known for their gentle ways and kind manners, being able to say they have not transgressed against the Lord makes it a great day and sets them up for a peaceful night.

Giving the Day to God

Heavenly Father, it’s been a good day. I know many have gone out of their way to create trouble or bring pain into the lives of others. Thank you for separating me from that kind of lifestyle. All I want to do is please You by the way I live. Tonight, my heart is especially glad that I did not…    

  In peace I will both lie down and sleep; for you alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety—Psalm 4:8, NIV

From the time I was a child words seemed to matter to me. I was always parsing in my head; always interested in the fully meaning and the back-story of what was being said. What did this word or statement mean; why was it said that way? 

After my mother would put us to bed, say our prayers with us and turn out the light my mind would go over our bedtime prayer, “Now I lay me down to sleep I pray the Lord my soul to keep; keep me safe all through the night and wake me up in the morning light.”

I was fine up until the part when we said together; “If I should die before I wake, I pray the Lord my soul to take.” My stomach always did a flip at those words. The point where the possibility of death was introduced into my young mind. It left me wondering “What if I died before I awakened?” What if my mother or my sisters died? Was it safe to go to sleep? How could I sleep in peace knowing death might come during that time?

Born into this world we cannot escape dying. At some point we will die. Death is not a possibility it is a certainty for everyone born into this world. We don’t know when it will come. It could be at night, in the middle of the night, during the day, during an illness, or even when we are feeling well, and nothing is wrong with us. Death can come at any time.   

Many times, David’s enemies were in hot pursuit, and he might have felt like death was near. Many of his prayers were pleas to God to watch over his life and keep him from an untimely death.  

Nighttime could introduce so many thoughts, death being one of them. It is the grace of God that He does not disclose the day or time of our death. It’s clear He doesn’t want us distracted by our death date.  

However the Lord has already determined we will leave this world we can know his promise to return for us when it is our time. Until then, He is going to keep us safe all through the night and all through the day. We can be sure he is not going to take us one moment before he’s already determined, His holy angels will surround us and our soul will be kept secure in His loving and protective hands. We can sleep in peace knowing God watches over us night and day.

Giving the Day to God

Heavenly Father, so much about death intrudes into our day-to-day. Sometimes we have thoughts and feelings of death and the thought of it can frighten us or keep us from resting peacefully. I pray, cover my mind and racing thoughts about my own death, and give me to…       

 Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28) 

The difference between Good Friday night and Easter Sunday night must have been like night and day. On Good Friday, Jesus’ family, close friends, and the disciples must not have gotten much, if any rest. Saturday may have been just as fretful and anguishing. But Sunday evening must have been an entirely different matter. If they lost any sleep Easter Sunday it would have been due to their excitement and rejoicing over seeing Jesus had risen from the dead. Who could sleep after seeing the Lord in person following his death and burial.

We don’t need a sleep study or survey to know we sleep better when we don’t go to bed with bad news ringing in our ears or head. 

There will be those times in life when the last news we hear or receive won’t be very encouraging or good, but we still need to rest. When this happens it’s best to give our bad or disappointing news to the Lord. 

Serving the Lord’s Church we have lived away from our extended family for nearly forty years and lots of times we have received heart-breaking news late in the evening or even in the middle of the night. Because there was nothing we could do to assist at that moment we have had to learn to force ourselves to get some sleep and either start out fresh the next day or wait for more news. It would not help us or nor them if we stayed awake all night, pacing the floor or sitting up in a chair. Resting, at times, was the most helpful thing we could do.      

Jesus’ invitation to come to Him and he promises to give us rest from weariness is as open today as it was when he first spoke it. 

Giving the Day to God

Lord Jesus, there are times we receive unsettling and disturbing news at the conclusion of the day and even during the night. When there is nothing we can do to help in the matter, help us to get some rest so we can be fresh for the following day…          

 I will bless the LORD who counsels me; even at night my conscience instructs me.--Psalm 16:3  (NIV)

Did you turn to the Lord today for direction? Did you lay things out before him, ask his counsel when problems arose, look to him to figure out puzzling matters, even wait on him to guide you through trials or depend upon him to fill you with His Spirit when you needed to forgive or be patient? Did you do right by others? Show kindness, compassion, tenderness and understanding in a way that God describes in His Word? 

It is no small thing when we can go to bed with a clear conscience. When we have done our very best to live by the commands and precepts written in the Bible. God counsels us by His Word and when we make every effort to live by His Word, even though we’ll fall short, as Paul says no one is perfect and we all fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23) we can go to sleep with a clear conscience, knowing Jesus died to complete where we fall short. We can give our sins and mistakes over to the Lord and go to bed peacefully, with a clear conscience.

Giving the Day to God

Heavenly Father, having a clear conscience at the end of our day is no small thing! I know I make mistakes and sin but I don’t do so intentionally. I pray your forgiveness for the sins I have committed today…  

 In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, LORD, make me dwell in safety –Psalm 4:8

When my husband was in the seminary he would be assigned to officiate at the last service of the evening at the campus chapel. Years later one of the professors, whom we kept in touch with, would often come to visit our family, preach at our church and before bed he and his lovely wife would lead our family in a closing devotion and evening prayer using compline as the order. 

“Compline” from the Latin “Completorium”, is the prayer time that completes the day. Compline has a soothing rhythm helping to close out the day. Like the rhythm God established over six days as he created; and on the seventh day he rested.  

Compline and other spiritual practices that help prepare the heart, soul and mind for restful sleep can be that part of our day that we look forward to. Somehow putting all things into perspective; the day is over and we can stop all activity. Compline gives us a place and space to lay our burdens down.  

From the first words of the psalm before us, evening prayer can help our body and mind slow down, change from the day’s hurried to a more relaxed rhythm. It is this rhythm established through practice that we look forward to at the end of our day. The rhythm that leads us not only to God in heaven but to our restful sleep.

Giving The Day to God

Thank You God, for night rhythm’s that leads me to you and to my rest…   

 On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being locked where the disciples were for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” When he said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.” John 20:19-21

What a whirlwind. Surely they were caught up in a dream; a nightmare that they would awake from and everything would be alright. But every passing hour told them they were not dreaming but what they feared most had happened.  Their beloved Teacher, Master, Rabbi, Friend had been snatched away from them and then murdered. Undergoing the most feared, and humiliating death normally reserved for criminals.

If you’ve grieved the passing of a loved one; someone very close to you then you know the anguish that sets in as you try to wrap your mind around that has happened. It seems that night is the most terrible and gut-wrenching time to get through. For some reason once the sun sets all hopes are diminished and fears escalate.

The disciples didn’t know it but they were about to get the most wonderful, unimaginable blessings and miracle ever known to human kind. 

John remembers it was in the evening that the Lord and Savior appeared to them; walking right through the locked and barricaded doors. Standing among them and talking to them. “Peace be with you,” he said so clearly and lovingly. 

Praise the name of Jesus that he still comes in the night to show us he is truly alive, speaking those same words that minister t our spirit, “Peace be with you.”

More than anything the Lord Jesus wants you to have his peace as your peace. He gifts his peace to you and as Paul wrote the peace that Jesus gives is a peace that surpasses and perplexes all human understanding.  

As you put a cap on your day all is not lost. Let he peace of Christ dwell richly within you. See him enter into your circumstances and let his peace unlock the doors of your mind and remove the barricades on your heart. Let the miracle that Jesus is alive be enough to give you the peace you need and desire.

Giving the Day to God

Jesus my Savior, you are not dead, but you are alive and come to me letting me know again and again you are not dead nor powerless, breathing your peace on me. I will not reject your peace but receive it gladly. Tonight I give you every… 

 There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus—Romans 8:1

Are you like many who spend the night hours rehashing what they did or didn’t do during the day? Picking apart every conversation, every response? Beating yourself up about the things you said that sounded silly or inappropriate or the way you responded after something was said. “Why didn’t I say this?” or, “Why didn’t I say that instead?” “I could have done that better… I should have / I shouldn’t have…” Mentally and emotionally we can be like the hamster on the wheel going nowhere except round and round. 

Too many lose precious sleep reliving the day’s events, turning things over and over in their minds until they are mentally and emotionally exhausted. The truth is whatever we have or have not done cannot be undone. The day is as it is and was. Sometimes we just need to practice self-forgiveness and stop tormenting ourselves with our woulda-coulda-shoulda’s. 

God is a forgiving and understanding God. He alone knows the motives of our heart. He’s also a God of grace and mercy and more than anything wants us to put the cares from the day his hand. Jesus defends us. Not only when the devil and others condemn us unnecessarily and falsely but when we condemn ourselves.

Giving the Day to God

Jesus, my Savior, how often I rehash the day and overthink events and conversations. We may think it is, but hindsight isn’t always perfect and we can leave out many factors that contributed to the moment. When a day is spent and I can’t undo any part of it, help me release it to your mercy and receive peace. There are things that weigh heavily on my mind today that I need rest from… 

But his delight is in the Law of the LORD, and on His law he mediates day and night—Psalm 119:15

What do you do at the end of a long day to unwind? You might like to take a long hot shower or soak in a tub of luxuriating bath salts. Maybe you like to read a good book or put some relaxing music on. Maybe you look forward to having a nice nightcap. A little sip of something that helps you relax and forget about he day’s problems.  

If you’re a Psalm-lover then you might enjoy turning to the Psalms and letting the words of the writers minister to your heart and soul. Even in all their rawness and candor the psalms have a way of calming our fears and reminding us God is (still) in control, sovereign, and sitting on the throne in heaven. 

The Psalmist often went to God in the night hours with a heavy heart of mind loaded down with troubles and problems, but by the conclusion of their prayer God had led them by His Spirit to a place of peace, comfort, and hopefulness.

God wants to be your starting point as you enter your day, and he wants to be your night cap at the conclusion.

Giving the Day to God…

Father God, I’m so thankful I not only have you at the beginning of each day, but I can return to you at the conclusion of my day. I have had a lot to ponder today but I don’t want to spend my night thinking about the events of today, so I give it all to You…      

 Be still, and know that I am God.—Psalm 46:10

Have you ever thought of the nighttime as a time of stillness. Not just from the activities of the day, but of the mind and body also?  

Whether we command our bodies and minds and activities to be still when the nighttime enters God says in stillness he will be exalted among the nations, he will be exalted in the earth! (46:10)

Just as Jesus commanded the raging winds and waves to be still on the sea, being still is God’s rebuke to a restless, raging world that must obey him. But not just to a restless and raging world, but to us personally. 

The nighttime is a time to be still in the Lord. sometimes our physical spaces and shape of life makes it challenging for us to “be still”. We may be parenting small children, and it takes a while for them to “be still”. We might be giving care to a loved one and the night can be a time of activity trying to help them settle and get to a good place so they can rest. We might be dealing with our own health issue(s) that seem to become more problematic at night. At any rate, even while we’re going through our paces to achieve the stillness of body, we can begin to still our minds and take a mental rest from the day’s demands. If nothing else, we can begin our nightly practice of worshiping the Lord in our spirit and mind. That is also a show of obedience to the Lord’s command of stillness.

Giving the Day to God

Father God,  

I have (challenges, responsibilities) that keep me from or delay my stillness in you, but even while attend to these I put my mind on you. I let the day’s thoughts and worries fade away and put my thoughts where they belong…In Jesus’ name, amen!         

 You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.—Isaiah 26:3

I have to be especially careful of what I think while I lay in bed at night. When all is quiet, I’ve gotten up to go to the bathroom and find myself a wake for a bit afterward. It’s at night, in the quiet, that my mind starts to wander, thinking on all kinds of things, especially those situations all around me. Maybe things going on with my children or my grandchildren. The state of the world. Wondering about my health, an unfamiliar ache or pain in my body, that in the nighttime suddenly, in my mind becomes an undetected uncurable disease. Thought after thought until I realize time has passed and it will be time to get up soon and I haven’t gotten much rest. 

No wonder God says he will keep in perfect peace those whose mind is stayed on him; not wandering all over the place! When our mind is fixed on Jesus it is filled with assurance, hope, and confidence. It is strong of faith knowing the Lord is with us and that he will never leave nor fail us. When we think about Jesus in the night hours instead of our problems, we can have a sound and peaceful sleep because we know Jesus is right here with us; his hand is on us. 

God knew his children needed to be reminded of where they needed to fix their thoughts. It couldn’t be on the idol and pagan gods, placed in the mountains or hills. It could not be on their unpredictable enemies who might attack at any moment. It couldn’t be on their government or officials; it couldn’t even be on their own resources or lack of; only on him would they experience the peace and comfort and assurance they needed.  

Different time. Different people. Different circumstances but same God and same message!

Giving our Day to God

What a good word Lord! I pray, keep my mind from wandering all over the place whether it be at night or during the day. Instead of thinking about the problems all around me may I think only about your…        

 The day is yours, and yours also the night; you established the sun and moon—Psalm 74:16

Is there anyone more trustworthy than our Triune God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. After walking with the Lord all day, we can end the day in that same way. After all, the night belongs to him also. He is not the Creator of the daytime only, leaving us to fend for ourselves the minute the sun goes down. But God made both the day and the night. 

There is another aspect to knowing God ordained and established the day and the night and that is from the aspect of evil and wickedness. There is only so long the wicked have to reap and reign in terror.  At the time Asaph wrote his psalm the temple of God had been desecrated by the presence of unbelievers and they had replaced God’s holy and things with symbols of their pagan religions and military standards. But just as surely as the sun roses and turned into day and the moon came out and turned into night God’s time was established. 

We can sleep no matter how terrible the times, how dastardly the wicked, how mean and cruel the ways of the oppressor because their time if limited. Night will turn into day and the people of God will experience victory and ease.          

Giving the Day to God 

Heavenly Father, tonight I am reminded of the limits you have established. Not just on the day and night but in everything, including the works and reign of evil. This is a comforting promise that allows me to put the day’s cares behind me. The promise that helps me sleep in peace and safety. It is with confidence of your promise I give over to you everything I have carried throughout the day…    

 Jacob left Beersheba and went toward Haran. And he came to a certain place and stayed there that night, because the sun had set. Taking one of the stones of the place, he put it under his head and lay down in that place to sleep—Genesis 28:10-11 

While it doesn’t sound very comfortable, it was not uncommon during Jacob’s time to use a stone for a pillow. While in the wilderness you do the best you can; you make do with what you have. Sometimes I like the feel of a firm pillow under my head, but I can’t say I’d like to sleep with my head on a rock. 

His sleeping conditions may not have been the best but in that place, God caused something amazing to happen. Jacob dreamt there was a ladder set up on the earth, and the top of it reached to heaven. And the angels of God were ascending and descending on it, and he saw the LORD at the top of the ladder and the LORD spoke to him. Reminding Jacob that he was the God of his ancestors and that he was with Jacob just as he had been with Abraham and Isaac. When Jacob awoke, he realized that God was in that place with him and that it was an awesome place to be (Gen. 28:12-17).   

We don’t have to have the best sleeping accommodation or even fall asleep under the best circumstances. Sometimes the day’s events will be troubling, and we may not be laying our head on a physical stone but because the day has been so difficult, we might as well be. 

Even so, the same God that showed himself and spoke to Jacob is the same God with us today. Reminding us that he is with us, and we are not alone. His promises are still with us, and God will help us. When we know and receive the promises of God as truth, we can rest whether we have a pillow or not.    

Giving the Day to God 

Lord, I can’t imagine being able to fall asleep with my head on as stone. You showed Jacob something amazing as he slept that night. I may not dream of angels and ladders, but I know for sure you are looking down at me from heaven and the promises you spoke over me long ago are still valid. When Jacob woke, he was energized and inspired, I pray that when I awake I am…    

 When you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet—Proverbs 3:24

What a beautiful promise to 

encounter at the end of your day! God’s beautiful and comforting promise comes on the tail end of him teaching us the rewards of seeking wisdom and getting our direction from him. It’s not a mystery that God knows exactly what we need to hear and know to calm and soothe us. 

From God’s lips and heart to our ears and heart. Moms, dads, grandparents, singles, married, child, adult; every race and gender we all need to not only read and hear, but digest this promise from our loving and faithful God. We need to know that at the end of the day’s journey, no matter what has happened in the course of our day, when we have sought God’s wisdom, sought his direction he will make our rest sweet. 

God does not say we need to do everything perfectly or that the days’ events need to line up perfectly. Perfection on any level is impossible in an imperfect world and environments. He only says we need to seek him; to turn to him for wisdom and direction. 

This was the words of wisdom and promise from God a father—King Solomon—shared with his son and the words of wisdom and promise our heavenly Father shares with us. A word and promise we can pass on to our children and grandchildren.

It is God’s Word that makes our way secure and steady as we walk in the path of God. It is his promise that gives us confidence. Though we may miss a step, miscalculate, make mistakes in our day, God doesn’t, and he has us covered. With this promise of security, we can close our eyes and enjoy sweet sleep.

Giving the Day to God

Triune God, you make us humble before you so we may receive and even hold tightly the treasures of wisdom and direction found only in you. All day long I have looked to you for wisdom and direction and now I give the day over to you. I release all my cares and concerns accumulated throughout this day, into your care…     

 The LORD your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing—Zephaniah 3:17

In the third chapter of Zephaniah the prophet urges God’s people to fear no evil, but instead to rejoice over their coming salvation. Fear hinders us from witnessing God’s love and mercy, it keeps us from rest and enjoying quietness of the soul.

God promises to defend us against all forms of evil. He is truly our Mighty One who will save us. Knowing God is not only our Creator, but our Sustainer, our Defender, and now Zephaniah reminds us God is also like the mother who rocks her baby with soothing lullabies. Not in hushed tones where it’s only between mother and child, but loudly so even the demons of hell know we are protected and defended by the Great One. They will not come near! They dare not attack or approach the child that is cradled in God’s loving arms, the child whom God sings over.

Giving God the Day…

Lord God, our Mighty One who will save us. We know at times, in this life the enemy will attack us, yet, we have no need to fear. If you allow it to be so, then, you also have a plan to show your might and to exult over us after. At any rate we are always in your hands, we are always under your covering, we are always being saved and you rejoice over us. Knowing this, why have I been so worried about…       

 If I say, “Surely the darkness shall cover me, and the light about me be night,” even the darkness is not dark to you; the night is bright as the day, for darkness is s light with you (Psalm 139:11-12)

When it’s dark outside and you’re feeling tired or weary, everything looks dark. The sun may be setting, it may even be dark outside but not even the darkness of night can cover you. God can see you just as well as he does in the daylight. 

Night has a way of making problems seem larger than they are. Draining us of the hope we may have had during the daylight. Making us deduce nothing is solvable or can be improved. Making us forget nothing is too hard for God and God can do all things. That’s just the night talking. In the morning things will look entirely different.

The good news is that God can not only hear your prayers—even the unspoken ones rumbling around in your brain—he can see you and will not let you out of his sight. He assures you that you can put your unsolved problems into his care and when you have had a chance to rest, he will help you work things out, with a clear mind. As you close your eyes you can remember, for God, the night is as bright as the day. 

Giving the Day to God… 

God, for some reason after dark, especially after facing troubles and problems, darkness seems to make me even more troubled, more wearied, more worried. I know nighttime is not a good time to rehash all my problems or make any plans for my future. I give you all the things that weigh heavily on my heart and mind. I know they are in safe-keeping and in the morning, we’ll talk them out, after I’ve had a good night’s rest…  

 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change—James 1:17

What a perfectly peaceful and comforting way to close out the day. Turning our attention to God in this particular way. The Father of all creation. The Father who gives not only good gifts, but perfect gifts. The Father who has the entire universe in his hands. The Father who does not change. 

Tucked so nicely in his letter of instruction on Christian life James weaves a pearl of wisdom to bring a smile to our face and put joy in our heart. We are part of the creation. We are not just any part of creation, but children of the creative, heavenly Father. James says the lights may shift and change; the heavenly bodies do change and move, yet the Father of all creation remains constant. The Father does not change.  The same Father who has given us so many good and perfect gifts—such as heavenly lights—does not change or shift. His Word remains the same, his love remains the same, his forgiveness, mercy, and grace; all the same! As the writer of Hebrews says, Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forevermore (Heb 13:8). 

Before we close our eyes, we might take a moment to look towards the heavens. What do we see. Even on a cloud-covered night we can see some trace of the lights the Father made and hung in the sky for us. We can take a breath and release our day—whether it was peaceful or turbulent into those heavenly lights and bodies looking down at us and know the Father catches all we send out. He will consider all we release while we rest. Just as the heavenly lights go in once the sun is out, so too our troubles entrusted to the Father’s care. 

Giving the Day to God…

Thank you, Father, God. Even though the heavenly bodies change and move, your Word remains constant and sure. We can trust Your promises. We can rest, knowing as surely as the heavenly lights shine on us, You are watching over us. I release the day to you and give you everything that has potential to keep me awake or cause me anxiety…          

  When I look at the night sky and see the work of your fingers—the moon and the stars you set in place--your heavens what are mere mortals that you should think about them, human beings that you should care for them? (Psalm 8:3-4, NLT)

Nighttime can put things in perspective. There is one perspective when we are considering the day’s work and activities, even our own creative, and pure genius exploits, or, worse yet, considering our failures, good intentions that didn’t come our as well as hoped for and expected, considering the things humans put their hands to that somehow became unraveled, and another perspective on life and existence when we look at things from a God, or divine perspective.

Watching a sunset, or seeing the stars glisten in the night sky and knowing here is a work, artistry that humans had no part in, an entire universe we did not ordain, design, or create that stands on its own, when we consider the Author of it all, that can make us feel small. 

Without being humble before God, we might feel insignificant but that should never be the case. Instead, we should wonder why a God who can do all of this be concerned about me and my little life. Why, would a God as great as this choose to make me the way he has? There must be a greater purpose for me than I can imagine. God must love me (after all). In comparison and I the scheme of greater things my mistakes and failures; what I have managed to mess up during my 24 hours are so miniscule since they have not changed what God does at the end of each day. 

I feel small and unforgivable, but I must have a purpose in God’s great plan. I can close my eyes and enjoy my sleep-in peace knowing God is mindful of me. God cares for me no matter what!  

Giving the Day to God

Dear God, thank you for making me part of your grand scheme of things. May I never doubt the importance of my existence. I have often doubted why I exist or what’s my purpose is. Simply because I am your creation, I am important to you. Today I give you all my feelings of insignificance…                

 Now fear the LORD and serve him with all faithfulness. Throw away the gods your ancestors worshiped beyond the Euphrates River in Egypt, and serve the LORD. But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD.” (Joshua 24:14-15)  

There were two snack possibilities before me. I could choose the one my flesh was craving. I loved chocolate! Or, I could choose the one that I knew for sure would not be problematic. The first one would give me fits later on, in a number of ways. But the second, more practical, healthy, and filling would agree with my digestive system, take care of the hunger spot, and not amount to very many calories before bed. Though my flesh wanted the brownie, my hand reached for the apple. As I sliced it, I congratulated myself on making a good choice! 

God told the Israelites, choose this day whom you will serve. As you close out your day you could serve your flesh and let your mind go to dark places, focus on all the problems, troubling situations you have in your life, the things about your day that were disturbing and disappointing, or, you can reach beyond that and reach for  the second choice: to turn your thoughts towards God, how much he loves you, his promise to never leave nor forsake you, his power and sovereignty, his promise that he can make even bad situations turn out for good, his power to heal and provide.

The first avenue is sure to disrupt your sleep, make you toss and turn, give you heartburn, cause you to end the day with a heavy heart, but the second choice; the one where you end your day focusing on God and his power and sovereignty will help you rest, will put you in the center of God’s will for you in this moment. 

Giving the Day to God

Lord, it’s so tempting to reach for that first choice, out of habit or to accommodate my flesh, but that won’t help anything. In fact, it will keep me from resting. I want to make the best and wisest choice, so I give everything that troubles me over to you…   

 For thus said the LORD God, the Holy One of Israel, “In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and in trust shall be your strength.”—Isaiah 30:15

God reminded his children the key to their having strength would be in their relationship with Him. When they learned to return to God, they would find the peace and strength they needed.

A right relationship with Jesus brings quietness, the ability to be calm, and peace that surpasses all human understanding because we trust in him to keep his promises. Whether you have been away from Jesus for a long time or just need to return at the end of your day, Jesus will bring all things into perspective; He will settle your spirit and calm your thoughts. 

No matter what our evening and night routines are: whether it includes checking the house from top to bottom, checking on sleeping children or others in the house, making sure the doors are locked and blinds closed, taking the dog out one last time, checking our email, there should be some time at the very end of it all, spent in Jesus’ presence.

Giving over our problems, disappointments, hurts, anger, or just plain weariness to the Holy One who watches over us is the best part of our routine. A practice  we should hold onto no matter what else needs to change.

Jesus will take your cares unto himself and give you, his peace. He will lighten your emotional and mental plate so you can rest. He will make your returning at the end of your day sweet and be just what you need to soothe your soul.

Giving the Day to God...

Dear Jesus, help me establish a holy habit of returning to you at the end of my day. I give you the things that could keep me from resting peacefully...