Signposts: Daily Devotions

Written by Renée Miller

Tuesday, April 8

My eyes are awake before each watch of the night, that I may meditate on your promise.
—Psalm 119:148

We are often frustrated when we find ourselves awake in the night. The more frustrated and stressed we become, the more a return to sleep seems to elude us. We find our minds listing the tasks of the next day. We think of the things that we need to complete before week's end. We may even have some bright and creative idea we try to fix in our brain so we can remember it when we rise at morning's unfolding.

Our mind twirls around thoughts like a piece of gooey candy, and we find sleep nearly impossible to grasp. If instead, we let the promises of the Holy One float through our mind and soul like the gentlest breath, we might find not only that our eyes become heavy, but that our soul is massaged into calmness.

Try this: Take one night during the next week to wake every few hours in the midst of your nighttime slumber for the precise purpose of meditating on God's promises. Give your attention to the promise of heaven's love washing over you, of heaven's continual presence with you, of heaven's compassion for the troubles of your life.

Don't try to think about the promises with mental machinations. Rather, feel the promises deeply within and notice the gentle breath blowing through every cell of your body. Note if you feel any difference in your soul at day's dawn because you chose to awaken yourself to those promises in the silence of the night.

 

O God, do not let me sleep through the wonder and hope of your promises.

The Signposts for April are written by Renée Miller and originally appeared on explorefaith.org in May 2004.