SUNDAY
Peaceful Nights
Nights are dark, but they don’t have to be scary. I can imagine sitting out on a porch in the country in the evening and being very relaxed. When I was young we loved to catch lightning bugs in a jar, then let them all go free again. Our boys liked to play tag in the dark with their cousins at my Dad’s house. In the 4th Psalm David begins, “Hear me when I call, O God of my righteousness: thou hast enlarged me when I was in distress; have mercy upon me, and hear my prayer.” When David was a shepherd boy he saved his sheep from a bear and a lion. He fought many battles. He was in danger from King Saul. He begins the Psalm praying to God in distress. But, look how he ends the Psalm, “Thou hast put gladness in my heart,… I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, LORD, only makest me dwell in safety.” (Psalm 4:7-8) God can hear our prayer in times of distress and give us sweet peace in the night. What a wonderful God we serve!
MONDAY
A Glorious Night
As I was typing the last devotional on “Peaceful Nights” my mind immediately went to “A Glorious Night” and you will probably know which night I am thinking of as you begin the scripture. “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.” (Luke 2:14) The most glorious night of all was when God sent His only begotten Son to be born in a stable and laid in a manger.
We had our worship service in the fellowship building yesterday because the paint fumes are still in the church. I went into the storage closet to get something and little Hawkins stood at the door looking in. I told him that he could come in and see what was in there. I showed him that there was a refrigerator, and vacuum cleaners, and I pulled a large box around so that he could see the picture on the box. It was a beautiful Christmas tree. He got so excited when I told him the tree was in the box and we will put it up at Christmas. He wanted me to put it up now. As we get older we sometimes lose the excitement that we had at Christmas when we were young. But, we should always keep the love, and joy, and excitement over the glorious night that Jesus was born!
“8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.” (Luke 2:8-14)
TUESDAY
An Exhausting Night
Have you ever had an exhausting night? Maybe you have to work a night shift and the nights seem to last so long. You may have had an unexpected task and had to work all night. Or, you might have had to sit in an emergency room with a loved one, and even though you sat all night it was exhausting. When Jesus asked Simon Peter to let Him teach the people from his ship, Simon did as He asked. Let’s look at what happened next. “Now when he had left speaking, he said unto Simon, Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught. And Simon answering said unto him, Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net.” (Luke 5:4-5) Peter had fished all night, an exhausting task, and not caught any fish. He was tired and discouraged. He had been sitting in the boat with Jesus, and maybe it was the way Jesus taught the people, or the Words He spoke, Peter decided to listen to Jesus and throw out the net. They caught so many fish that the net broke. If they had let down more nets, as Jesus said, I’m sure every one of them would have been filled with fish. Even with just the one net, they filled both ships with fish. Isn’t it wonderful that even when “we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing”, Jesus can give us just what we need when we listen to Him and do what He says to do.
“1 And it came to pass, that, as the people pressed upon him to hear the word of God, he stood by the lake of Gennesaret,
2 And saw two ships standing by the lake: but the fishermen were gone out of them, and were washing their nets.
3 And he entered into one of the ships, which was Simon's, and prayed him that he would thrust out a little from the land. And he sat down, and taught the people out of the ship.
4 Now when he had left speaking, he said unto Simon, Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught.
5 And Simon answering said unto him, Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net.
6 And when they had this done, they inclosed a great multitude of fishes: and their net brake.
7 And they beckoned unto their partners, which were in the other ship, that they should come and help them. And they came, and filled both the ships, so that they began to sink.
8 When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord.
9 For he was astonished, and all that were with him, at the draught of the fishes which they had taken:
10 And so was also James, and John, the sons of Zebedee, which were partners with Simon. And Jesus said unto Simon, Fear not; from henceforth thou shalt catch men.
11 And when they had brought their ships to land, they forsook all, and followed him. (Luke 5:1-11)
WEDNESDAY
A Discerning Night
I have talked about the book of Nehemiah many times. I enjoy reading the book and studying the prophet. When Nehemiah heard of the affliction and reproach of the wall of Jerusalem he prayed and confessed the sin of his people. He prayed that God would remember His covenant with His people. He then prayed that God would prosper him and give him mercy in the sight of the king. In chapter 2 we see that Nehemiah didn’t rush in and proclaim that he was there to build the wall. No, he went in the night to assess the damage, and make a plan. I believe the turning point is Nehemiah 2:18. “Then I told them of the hand of my God which was good upon me; as also the king's words that he had spoken unto me. And they said, Let us rise up and build. So they strengthened their hands for this good work.”
Sometimes when we see a problem we want to jump right into action, before we really understand what needs to be done. What a difference it will make when we begin with prayer to God who knows all about our problems and needs. We can look at the issues, and challenges, and obstacles that might be in our way. How wonderful it would be to have such a discerning spirit as Nehemiah! Once it is all settled, how great for those around us to strengthen their hands for the good work.
“11 So I came to Jerusalem, and was there three days.
12 And I arose in the night, I and some few men with me; neither told I any man what my God had put in my heart to do at Jerusalem: neither was there any beast with me, save the beast that I rode upon.
13 And I went out by night by the gate of the valley, even before the dragon well, and to the dung port, and viewed the walls of Jerusalem, which were broken down, and the gates thereof were consumed with fire.
14 Then I went on to the gate of the fountain, and to the king's pool: but there was no place for the beast that was under me to pass.
15 Then went I up in the night by the brook, and viewed the wall, and turned back, and entered by the gate of the valley, and so returned.
16 And the rulers knew not whither I went, or what I did; neither had I as yet told it to the Jews, nor to the priests, nor to the nobles, nor to the rulers, nor to the rest that did the work.
17 Then said I unto them, Ye see the distress that we are in, how Jerusalem lieth waste, and the gates thereof are burned with fire: come, and let us build up the wall of Jerusalem, that we be no more a reproach.
18 Then I told them of the hand of my God which was good upon me; as also the king's words that he had spoken unto me. And they said, Let us rise up and build. So they strengthened their hands for this good work.” (Nehemiah 2:11-18)
THURSDAY
From A Night Of Danger To A Night Of Deliverance
The book of Daniel is an amazing book, filled with miracles and prophecies. Daniel had been taken as a captive and was chosen to be taught the learning and language of the Chaldeans. “But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself...” (Daniel 1:8) Daniel may have been there 66 to 70 years during the reigns of Nebuchadnezzar, Belshazzar, Darius, and Cyrus. When Darius was king he set Daniel over the whole realm, which made the other leaders jealous. “Then the presidents and princes sought to find occasion against Daniel concerning the kingdom; but they could find none occasion nor fault; forasmuch as he was faithful, neither was there any error or fault found in him. Then said these men, We shall not find any occasion against this Daniel, except we find it against him concerning the law of his God.” (Daniel 6:4-5) They persuaded the king to make a decree that whoever asked a petition of any God or man, except for the king, for 30 days would be cast into a den of lions. What could have been a night of danger, became a night of deliverance for Daniel, God’s faithful servant.
“10 Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime.
11 Then these men assembled, and found Daniel praying and making supplication before his God.
12 Then they came near, and spake before the king concerning the king's decree; Hast thou not signed a decree, that every man that shall ask a petition of any God or man within thirty days, save of thee, O king, shall be cast into the den of lions? The king answered and said, The thing is true, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which altereth not.
13 Then answered they and said before the king, That Daniel, which is of the children of the captivity of Judah, regardeth not thee, O king, nor the decree that thou hast signed, but maketh his petition three times a day.
14 Then the king, when he heard these words, was sore displeased with himself, and set his heart on Daniel to deliver him: and he laboured till the going down of the sun to deliver him.
15 Then these men assembled unto the king, and said unto the king, Know, O king, that the law of the Medes and Persians is, That no decree nor statute which the king establisheth may be changed.
16 Then the king commanded, and they brought Daniel, and cast him into the den of lions. Now the king spake and said unto Daniel, Thy God whom thou servest continually, he will deliver thee.
17 And a stone was brought, and laid upon the mouth of the den; and the king sealed it with his own signet, and with the signet of his lords; that the purpose might not be changed concerning Daniel.
18 Then the king went to his palace, and passed the night fasting: neither were instruments of musick brought before him: and his sleep went from him.
19 Then the king arose very early in the morning, and went in haste unto the den of lions.
20 And when he came to the den, he cried with a lamentable voice unto Daniel: and the king spake and said to Daniel, O Daniel, servant of the living God, is thy God, whom thou servest continually, able to deliver thee from the lions?
21 Then said Daniel unto the king, O king, live for ever.
22 My God hath sent his angel, and hath shut the lions' mouths, that they have not hurt me: forasmuch as before him innocency was found in me; and also before thee, O king, have I done no hurt.
23 Then was the king exceeding glad for him, and commanded that they should take Daniel up out of the den. So Daniel was taken up out of the den, and no manner of hurt was found upon him, because he believed in his God.
24 And the king commanded, and they brought those men which had accused Daniel, and they cast them into the den of lions, them, their children, and their wives; and the lions had the mastery of them, and brake all their bones in pieces or ever they came at the bottom of the den.” (Daniel 6:10-24)
FRIDAY
A Sleepless Night
Our devotional yesterday was about King Darius and Daniel. Let’s move on to Daniel 9:1 and be introduced to our main character today. “In the first year of Darius the son of Ahasuerus, of the seed of the Medes, which was made king over the realm of the Chaldeans;” King Ahasuerus ruled in Shushan the Palace during the time of the book of Esther. When the king and his guests were merry with wine he called for Queen Vashti to come and show them her beauty, but she refused. The king banned her from being queen and a new queen was chosen. Mordecai and Esther were of the Jewish captivity. She was chosen to be the new queen and Mordecai told her not to tell anyone that she was a Jew. Mordecai saved the king’s life and it was recorded in the book of the chronicles of the king. Hamaan had been advanced above all the princes. When Mordecai refused to bow to Hamaan, he made a plan to kill all the Jews. Mordecai sent word to Esther and she told him that she could be killed if she went in before the king without being called. Mordecai answered, “For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time, then shall there enlargement and deliverance arise to the Jews from another place; but thou and thy father's house shall be destroyed: and who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” (Esther 4:14) Queen Esther went before the king and invited him and Hamaan to a banquet. He and the king went to the feast and the queen invited them to come again the next day. Hamaan was still angry that Mordecai would not bow to him so he built a gallows 50 cubits high (about 75 feet) to hang him on. In chapter 6 we find the sleepless night.
“1 On that night could not the king sleep, and he commanded to bring the book of records of the chronicles; and they were read before the king.
2 And it was found written, that Mordecai had told of Bigthana and Teresh, two of the king's chamberlains, the keepers of the door, who sought to lay hand on the king Ahasuerus.
3 And the king said, What honour and dignity hath been done to Mordecai for this? Then said the king's servants that ministered unto him, There is nothing done for him.
4 And the king said, Who is in the court? Now Haman was come into the outward court of the king's house, to speak unto the king to hang Mordecai on the gallows that he had prepared for him.
5 And the king's servants said unto him, Behold, Haman standeth in the court. And the king said, Let him come in.
6 So Haman came in. And the king said unto him, What shall be done unto the man whom the king delighteth to honour? Now Haman thought in his heart, To whom would the king delight to do honour more than to myself?
7 And Haman answered the king, For the man whom the king delighteth to honour,
8 Let the royal apparel be brought which the king useth to wear, and the horse that the king rideth upon, and the crown royal which is set upon his head:
9 And let this apparel and horse be delivered to the hand of one of the king's most noble princes, that they may array the man withal whom the king delighteth to honour, and bring him on horseback through the street of the city, and proclaim before him, Thus shall it be done to the man whom the king delighteth to honour.
10 Then the king said to Haman, Make haste, and take the apparel and the horse, as thou hast said, and do even so to Mordecai the Jew, that sitteth at the king's gate: let nothing fail of all that thou hast spoken.
11 Then took Haman the apparel and the horse, and arrayed Mordecai, and brought him on horseback through the street of the city, and proclaimed before him, Thus shall it be done unto the man whom the king delighteth to honour.
12 And Mordecai came again to the king's gate. But Haman hasted to his house mourning, and having his head covered.” (Esther 6:1-12)
There have been times when I had a sleepless night and I got up and read in my Bible. God has also shown me things in the night when I’ve prayed when I couldn’t sleep. This brings us over halfway through the book of Esther. If you are not familiar with it I hope you will read the rest of the story and see how it ends.
SATURDAY
One Day Will Be Our Last Day
Yesterday I talked about how we are not promised tomorrow and we need to hear the Lord today. There is another verse I want to share that reminds us that one day will be our last day. “There is no man that hath power over the spirit to retain the spirit; neither hath he power in the day of death: and there is no discharge in that war; neither shall wickedness deliver those that are given to it.” (Ecclesiastes 8:8) We have no power over death. There is no power that can keep us here if it is our time to go. We are at the Lord’s mercy. We must be prepared to meet our Maker. And the only way to be prepared for the judgment is to ask Jesus to forgive us of our sin before it is too late. You can choose to humble your heart to God now, or wait until the judgment, but you can be sure that one day you will bow to the Lord. “For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.” (Romans 14:11) “And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.” (Hebrews 9:27-28)
