Night Watch!

There was a soldier serving on guard duty late one night. Everything had been quiet and -- having nothing really to focus on -- he struggled against drowsiness. He finally decided to sit down at his post and just close his eyes for a moment. It did not take long, however, for him to doze off. He awoke a short while later to the feeling someone was there. With his head bowed and chin against his chest, he opened his eyes noticing a pair of GI boots directly in front of him. Thinking quickly, knowing it was his commander, he drawled out an “Aaaamen!” as he looked up and got to his feet.

Falling asleep while on guard duty is a serious thing. We might even say that one caught doing so would not have a prayer. The one on duty ALLOWS THE OTHERS TO SLEEP WELL since they know there is another on the look out.

The Psalmist wrote:
“(1) I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? (2) My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth. (3) He will not let your foot be moved; HE WHO KEEPS YOU WILL NOT SLUMBER. (4) Behold, he who keeps Israel WILL NEITHER SLUMBER NOR SLEEP.” ( Psalm 121:1-4 ESV)

There was a man who had many trials he was undergoing, yet was able to sleep very peacefully at night. When asked how he was able to sleep so well, his response was linked to the above passage. He remarked, “My God does not sleep through the watches of the night so there’s NO SENSE BOTH OF US STAYING AWAKE.”

There is the picture of one who has a calm peace in their relationship to God. That is the type of faith for which we need to strive. If we are having trouble sleeping at night, instead of counting sheep, let us talk to the Shepherd. May we then also acknowledge there is truly “NO SENSE BOTH OF US STAYING AWAKE” all night.

Have a great day WITH A CALMING FAITH IN THE ONE WHO KEEPS WATCH!
Carl
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[This focus was originally sent 10/26/1998 (Edited some with passage changed to ESV)]

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