Getting up at or before sunrise to make it to a job that starts early can be draining. Working a 9 to 5 shift every day can get to be monotonous. But nothing can compare to the exhausting difficulty of working the graveyard shift. While the rest of the world sleeps, those on the graveyard shift push buttons, pull levers, answer calls, go places and do things.
Someone is working a graveyard shift, but it’s not because of a job. While others are sleeping, they’re wide-awake. Their mind is racing. Their heart is pounding. Events play over and over again. Regret. Fear. Anger. Hurt. Rather than being relaxed in the stillness and lifelessness of the night, things seem to close in around them like a noose.
David worked the graveyard shift many nights. Worrying about his family. Lamenting his foolish actions. Mad at God one night, longing for His presence the next. But finally after too many bouts with insomnia, David cried out,
“Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God; For I shall yet praise Him, the help of my countenance and my God.” (Psalm 43:5)
David isn’t asking his soul to tell him what’s wrong. Instead, David is notifying his soul, his thoughts, and emotions that there’s going to be a change. No more sleepless nights. No more anxiety. No more watching the sunset and then rise again. He needed rest and he was going to get it.
To hope in God is important, but what David reveals in addition is the most important factor to getting a person off the graveyard shift. David said,
“I shall yet praise Him.”
He would declare the goodness of God, sing of His faithfulness, recount His works, and shout hallelujahs at the top of his lungs. And as David lifted up praise to God, something happened, he began to sense the nearness of God. Then things within him settled down and became peaceful. His eyes grew heavy and sleep took hold.
If you’ve been working the graveyard shift lately, follow David’s example. Take a moment and think about where you where and what things were like in your life when God found you. Think about how many times He’s proven faithful and strong in situations that you’ve turned over to Him. Now begin to praise Him and thank him. It won’t be long until you sense His presence, along with joy that’s unspeakable and peace that surpasses understanding. Before you know it, it will be morning and you’ll be thanking God for the best night’s sleep you ever had.
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