Psalm 119:145-148 "I cried with my whole heart; hear me, O LORD: I will keep thy statutes. (146) I cried unto thee; save me, and I shall keep thy testimonies. (147) I prevented the dawning of the morning, and cried: I hoped in thy word. (148) Mine eyes prevent the night watches, that I might meditate in thy word."
We have no way of knowing what was troubling the writer when he penned these
words, but evidently something was keeping him awake at night. Can you
identify? Have you ever spent a night tossing and turning because your eyes
could not find sleep? I see a few things happening in these verses. First, he
was troubled. Then it seems he was making promises. And third, he was soaking
in the words of God in an attempt to find peace and comfort in the night.
Have you ever felt like God was not listening to your prayers? "Hear me, O
LORD." The word, cried, is used three times in these four verses.
The first two times speak of his addressing God with a very particular need. He
is praying from the depth of his heart, "Lord, I need you!" I
cried out, "Lord hear me." Then I cried out, "Lord, save
(deliver) me." He was needing relief and all the while, he knew there was
nowhere else to turn. He knew his hope was in the Lord by way of keeping the
statutes, or written word, of God. I will hold tightly to your written
Word and the testimonies of your grace and faithfulness that are contained in
your Word. Paul explains to us that this is what is involved when he said,
"Faith cometh by hearing; and hearing by the Word of God." We grow in
our faith as we take hold of the promises of the Lord. We can find hope and
encouragement through the Word of God even in the darkest hour of the night.
When Jesus went away, He left the promise of the Comforter, the Holy Spirit. He
said the Holy Spirit "shall teach you all things, and bring all things to
your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you." (John 14:26)
Thank you Heavenly Father for that Comforter that speaks to us even in
our toughest times.
1 I need Thee ev'ry hour, most gracious Lord;
no tender voice like Thine can peace afford.
Refrain:
I need Thee, O I need Thee;
ev'ry hour I need Thee;
O bless me now, my Savior,
I come to Thee.
2 I need Thee ev'ry hour, stay Thou nearby;
temptations lose their pow'r when Thou art nigh.