“Yet the LORD will command his lovingkindness in the daytime, and in the night his song shall be with me, and my prayer unto the God of my life.” (Psalm 42:8)
Life must unfold. We cannot hurry the sun to arise. Worry only makes a long night longer. There is no going “around” some things; we must go “through” them. But oh how we long for an end!
What we come to understand in a long, hard, night is that others, no matter how much they care about us, cannot fully feel what we are feeling. “The heart knoweth his own bitterness …” (Prov. 14:10) The knowledge that others have had their own long nights provides some solace, but the loneliness we feel requires greater comfort. We need a hand to hold. A voice to encourage. A presence to comfort. We need God Himself to be with us until the morning breaks. Only He can keep our heart and mind from debilitation and despair. When our prayer is to the God of our life, He will even give us a song in the night.
David knew many a long night where tears produced songs. He discovered God’s presence in the deepest of ways in the darkest of nights. And he also discovered that such nights did end. “…Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.” (Psalm 30:5) The word “endure” in this verse means to “lodge as a visitor.”
Like a temporary guest, trouble comes and goes. Times of sorrow or suffering or want are seasonal. Spring replaces winter. Night gives way to day. The key is to be upheld with hope when tough times are visiting us. And this we can do when God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in our time of trouble. He will not only get us through, He will bring us forth the better for it. “But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.” (Job 23:10)
There is always something we are waiting for – something bad to end; something good to begin. The only question is whether we will wait alone or with God. When tears come knocking, wishing to lodge with us for a long night, make sure God is already there, a permanent resident in your heart and life. He will give you a song in the night; and be by your side when the morning arises.