Lifetime Daily DevotionsSample

Choosing to Sing in the Night

God my Maker . . . gives songs in the night.
Job 35:10

The Lord will command His lovingkindness in the daytime; And His song will be with me in the night. A prayer to the God of my life.
Psalm 42:8

It is very late.
It is very dark.
It is very quiet.
So quiet that it seems all
the world must be sleeping.
Suddenly a bird begins to sing.
How beautiful!
How clear!
. . . how strange.

Why is that bird singing, Lord? It is so dark. I doubt that its because of a full stomach, and the heavy thunderstorm we had this afternoon certainly didn't leave her a dry nest to warble about. Why? Why does she sing?

I question whether it could be for her benefit in any way. She doesn't even know anyone is listening. She's all by herself in the world out there. I cannot imagine that it is for a sense of "fulfillment" . . . birds don't have that capacity, do they, Lord?

And I am quite sure that it is NOT because she had a "good day." She has worked hard all day getting enough food. Her nest may have been destroyed in the storm; her tiny little ones may have been killed. All sorts of bad things...and yet she sings!

Is it to make the darkness beautiful?
Is she serenading her loved one?
Is it to declare her territorial boundaries?
Is it a source of comfort from You for those who
might be listening?

Lord, regardless of her reason, that little bird is being used by You. She is glorifying You through her song.

I, too, by Your grace, can choose to sing in the night, in the darkness, in the stillness, when I am all alone. Then others will say, "Why is she singing? Its so dark!" And I can answer, "My Maker gives me songs in the night."

Before He can give me a song in the night,

I must experience the night.