3000 Years of Not Being Able to Turn Your Mind Off

Do you ever lie awake at night, unable to shut your mind off? Here are two poems about that exact experience. One from King David around 1000 BC, one written just last week. Three thousand years apart, and the human heart remains the same.

Psalm 4:4 reflect in your heart on your bed and be silent. . . ⁸ I will both lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, Lord, make me live in safety. (CSB)

Cover Me with Your Love

When at night I scoot under soothing covers,
problems of this world and my own concerns
creep in next to me.
And so I pray.
I plead for our world—the planet You created—
enduring earthquakes, diseases, injustices.
Under the rubble, may the unsaved encounter You.
In a joyful, incredible, salvation way
may they see Your Light and hear Your voice.

I pray for saints who seek You—
that they will find continued comfort
in Your sovereignty.
I pray they will know You more clearly
in the midst of pain and discouragement.
May they sense Your involvement and care
through the giving of others
who eagerly serve as Your Spirit leads.
I pray that my own hands will reach out
through prayer and pocket and deeds
to lessen the pain on this globe.

Then I request for myself and those I call by name—
that we live a life pleasing to You
in each trying circumstance.
May we sleep in peace, trust, and the hope
of embracing You soon—
the day when all wrong is made right
and evil is condemned—
consigned to darkness.

Janice Cooley Jones

Yup, that second one was written by my sister.

Be encouraged,

Dan

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Photo by Alexandra Gorn on Unsplash