“My eyes stay open through the watches of the night, that I may meditate on Your promises.” -Psalm 119:148

Verse 148 enhances verse 147, as the psalmist goes deeper, from prayer to meditation. Meditating on the promises of God is a wonderful counter-attack to the afflictions of darkness. Satan is the author of lies, the host of fear. Here is a helpful parallel of literal darkness to spiritual darkness. Both leave us vulnerable to enemy invasion. Our physical bodies need sleep and cannot go long without it. Yet in times of distress, sleep may mock the weary soul. Reciting Scripture, recalling God’s promises, can massage our troubled minds. Shining the light of truth expels the darkness to help us see. The terrors which grip our thoughts will begin to flee when we wield the sword of the Spirit against Satan’s attacks.

Believers thrown into a spiritual fog wait in expectation for God’s relief. His mercies are new each day, so while we wait, our time is best spent in prayer and meditation. Becoming familiar with God’s Word through meditation equips His saints so that they may pray God’s language back to Him. “Direct my footsteps according to Your Word; let no sin rule over me” (v.133); “Sustain me according to your promise, and I will live; do not let my hopes be dashed” (v.116). The words of the psalmist are ours to claim as well. The Lord is faithful to keep His children spiritually alert to the devil’s schemes. He will not allow His children to be lulled into a defenseless stupor for long, neglecting our post. He has given us weapons and gifts to fight against our enemies, trusting Him with the victory outcome. 

Grace upon grace,

April

Growing deeper: Psalm 4; 130; Mark 14:32-42; John 1:4-9; Ephesians 5:8-17; 6:10-18