Remembering to Give Thanks Even in Darkest Nights
Scripture Passage: Psalm 119:49-64 (NASB)
49 Remember the word to Your servant,
In which You have made me hope.
50 This is my comfort in my misery,
That Your word has revived me.
51 The arrogant utterly deride me,
Yet I do not turn aside from Your Law.
52 I have remembered Your judgments from of old, Lord,
And comfort myself.
53 Burning indignation has seized me because of the wicked,
Who abandon Your Law.
54 Your statutes are my songs
In the house of my pilgrimage.
55 Lord, I remember Your name in the night,
And keep Your Law.
56 This has become mine,
That I comply with Your precepts.
57 The Lord is my portion;
I have promised to keep Your words.
58 I sought Your favor with all my heart;
Be gracious to me according to Your word.
59 I considered my ways
And turned my feet to Your testimonies.
60 I hurried and did not delay
To keep Your commandments.
61 The snares of the wicked have surrounded me,
But I have not forgotten Your Law.
62 At midnight I will rise to give thanks to You
Because of Your righteous judgments.
63 I am a companion to all those who fear You,
And to those who keep Your precepts.
64 The earth is full of Your goodness, Lord;
Teach me Your statutes.
SUMMARY
The Psalmist speaks of those who are arrogant and abandon God’s Law. But even though he is mocked by the wicked, he remembers God’s name “in the night” and keeps God’s law. He hurries to keep God’s commandments and clings to God’s Word even in the face of the snares of the wicked. The Psalmist pleads with God to show favor to him and be gracious to him, and says he will rise at midnight to give thanks to God.
REFLECTION
Two verses in particular (v. 55, v. 62) reminded me of my many ‘nights’… the times when I felt completely alone in the darkest night when I felt only the silence of the Lord. Sometimes it was literally during the night, when my baby son was not able to sleep unless I held him in my arms, or those days when I couldn’t get anything done because my son was home from school. Sometimes it was in the doctor’s office during the years when my husband and I struggled with infertility, or the time when I felt my life as a pianist shattering as the doctor told me that I have incurable rheumatoid arthritis. Sometimes it was moments in my relationships, as I blurted out hurtful words to family and friends or received hurtful words from them, when all of us just wanted to be understood and loved.
Looking back, what gave me hope and helped me to keep pressing on during such dark nights was simply REMEMBERING HIS NAME through prayers, and – as difficult as it might be at times – giving thanks to the Lord.
Yes, my baby boy was up again all night and I feel completely exhausted. But thank you Lord for blessing me with such a healthy baby boy. Help me not to take for granted your blessing and always remember those dark nights when I was desperately asking you to bless us with a baby.
Yes, I had to cancel my teaching and all my other work because my son was sick and couldn’t go to school. But thank you Lord that I was able to reschedule all the work that I missed.
Yes, having a rheumatoid arthritis as a pianist is daunting and scary. But thank you Lord that I was able to catch the illness early and prevent further damage. Thank you that the medication is able to control the pain. Thank you for the good doctor who gave the right treatment in such a timely manner.
Yes Lord, thank you for the family and friends that you have allowed in my life. We at times hurt one another unintentionally because our love is so imperfect and inadequate. Fill us with your Spirit that we may truly imitate your love.
APPLICATION
Those dark ‘nights’ still come, as I live with so many of my shortcomings and flaws. No matter how stormy the ‘nights’ may be, I want to keep remembering His Name and giving thanks to Him by being close to His Word in prayers and giving thanks to Him. Specifically, I want to consistently attend the QT meeting and IPM prayer meeting and keep up with my gratitude prayer journal every day.
PRAYER
Lord, thank you that the dark ‘nights’ are never permanent. They always pass, no matter how long the nights may seem. Thank you that there’s always a morning that comes with the sunrise. Thank you for giving me hope through your Light, through your Son Jesus Christ. Give me strength even in the darkest moment to remember YOU and give thanks. Help me to seek your favor with all my heart for you are a gracious God. Yes, Lord. Your mercy is everlasting. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
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