Have you ever awoke in the night, in those dark hours before dawn, and been gripped with thoughts of some problem that seems to overwhelm you? Thoughts that you can not seem to put aside?  Thoughts that soon turn to anxiety and fear?  At this point sleep is gone and worry has taken it’s place!  This is not a place for one of God’s children!  Anxiety and fear draw its strength from unbelief and lack of trust!  BUT it is in believing (trusting in, relying on and clinging to) Jesus that we become one of God’s own.
 
Our Lord God is the One who said,
“Be anxious for nothing…”  Philippians 4:6
And,
“Casting the whole of your care [all your anxieties, all you worries, all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares for you affectionately and cares about you watchfully.”  1 Peter 5:7  The Amplified Bible
 
What do we do?  Turn FROM those thoughts, do not dwell on them, FILL them with Christ and the things of the Lord.  The Psalms have something to say here,
“…Meditate within your heart on your bed, and be still.  Selah.
Offer the sacrifices of righteousness,
And put your trust in the LORD.”  Psalm 4:4b-5
Then,
“I will both lie down in peace, and sleep;
For You alone, O LORD, make me to dwell in safety.”  Vs. 8
 
“Yet the LORD will command His loving-kindness in the daytime, and in the  night His song shall be with me, a prayer to the God of my life.”  
Psalm 42:8
 
“Let the godly ones exult in glory;
Let them sing for joy on their beds.”  Psalm 149:5
 
Then there is that wonderful account of Paul and Silas in prison in Philippi,
“But about midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns of praise to God, and the prisoners were listening to them.”  Acts 16:25
(Please read the whole account Vs. 16-35 to see God’s mighty hand at work here.)
 
Among your thoughts in the night, think about some of God’s many special promises as you choose to trust Him.
 
“Oh, how great is Your goodness, 
Which You have laid up for those who fear You,
Which You have prepared for those who trust in You
In the presence of the sons of men!”  Psalm 31:19
 
“…But he who trusts in the LORD, mercy shall surround him.”  
Psalm 32:10b
 
“Those who trust in the LORD
Are as Mount Zion, which cannot be moved, but abides forever.”  
Psalm 125:1
 
“…He who trusts in the LORD will be exalted.”  Proverbs 29:25b
 
“You will keep him in perfect peace,
Whose mind is stayed on You,
Because he trusts in You.”  Isaiah 26:3
And in verse 4,
“Trust in the LORD forever,
For in YAH, the LORD, is everlasting strength.”
 
I can’t leave out Romans 8:28!  Whatever the problem, there is this promise,
“And we know that God caused ALL things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.”
Verse 29 tells us His purpose,
“For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn of many brethren.”
 
How awesome is our God!
 
I will close with this blessing of God,
“The LORD’S loving-kindnesses indeed never cease,
For His compassions never fail.
They are new every morning;
Great is Thy faithfulness.”  Lamentations 3:22-23
 
Beloved in Christ, let us never cease to give praise to our great and loving Lord and to sing of His loving-kindness and tender mercies.  He is worthy of ALL praise, honor and glory!  Amen