Daily Devotionals for Women - Today's Encouraging Word from Scripture

THE SECRET OF PEACE

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

Picture it ~ It’s the middle of the night. You've been sleeping sporadically because of something that's been eating at you. Tossing and turning, you meditated on it, turning the issue over and over again in your mind. No more peace was gained by doing so. In fact, the rehearsal of it only brought more distress. Such is the result of a meditation that is not of the God-kind.

David was up at night, too. The Jews set up night watches (in four-hour shifts starting at dusk) to keep the city safe. He revealed that his eyes were awake before the announcement of the next shift because he was already meditating on the promises of God.

This is the secret of insight and of peace. This is where the treasures of the darkness are found. When there would otherwise be no rest for our heart and no peace for our mind, God gives them both as we set our heart and mind on His words.

David said, “On the glorious splendor of your majesty, and on your wondrous works, I will meditate.” Ps. 145:5 What works touched his heart in the wee hours of the morning? I suspect the ones that contrasted the hurts and frustrations of his world on that particular day. When he was betrayed, he meditated on God’s faithful heart. When afraid, God’s power. When trapped, God’s promise of deliverance. When small and void of answers, God’s limitless wisdom.

I believe that meditation is most meaningful when I take the very thing that is troubling me, identify a few of the tormenting themes, then meditate on their kingdom counterparts. God never entraps His children with words. Every command, every insight, brings them into a spacious place where the view is expansive. Upon seeing an old truth in a new light, we draw in our breath and say, “It’s beautiful! The view is stunning.”

Your Words deliver me. You are an unending meal for my soul. Amen