It is no secret that the demands of work, life and leadership are stressful. This is not a new phenomenon. David wrote Psalm 63 about 3,000 years ago, most likely when he was in the wilderness fleeing Absalom. But while sleep escaped him and the desert surrounded him, David cultivated a heart that was alive and worshipful. Rather than allowing himself to spiral into frustration and worry, he redeemed his sleepless nights to celebrate God’s nearness.
As modern-day leaders, we are also often awakened in the wee hours of the morning, minds spinning with details and decisions or because of the wilderness we are currently navigating. In those groggy and frustrating moments, our blurry minds must make a choice. Will we lie there, trying to force ourselves back to sleep before the dreaded alarm goes off, further frustrating ourselves by doing the math of how many hours we still have to sleep? Or, will we remember God’s presence and embrace the opportunity of communing with Him?
We don’t know what David’s late-night prayers and hymns were specifically. But the next time you experience a sleepless night, follow his example from Psalm 63.
- “God, thank you for reminding me you are with me.”
- “I welcome this time together, no matter how long it lasts.”
- Embrace the silence.
- Then, begin to bring your requests before God. Lay before Him each name, face and situation that He brings to mind because “You are my help.”
“On my bed I remember you; I think of you through the watches of the night. Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings.” Psalm 63:6-7
