Normal Lifestyle
I’ve always been intrigued about the Bible declaring that God neither slept nor slumbered. It’s a favorite verse, since it showed me that Someone was watching over me while I was literally dead to the world. I used to wonder how that happened with God. Why did the Word of God specify this aspect of God? What were the nuances behind it?
This curiosity lingered with me through life, even after I married, and grew to be a family of five with husband and three kids. In due time, our three kids moved out of home and country, each residing in different parts of the world in different time zones. It just so happens that, together we span the four main continents of the world – Asia, Australia, America, and Europe. It is, therefore, often tricky for us to connect together as a family.
Four different clock icons decorate my mobile phone’s homescreen showcasing the four different time zones of our family. It helps me keep track of day and night times in each kid’s city, so that I would know when to contact each one. I am able to keep in touch with each child, and help them allot quality time to be in touch with me!
Natural Timeline
Just as I watched over them when we were all residing together under one roof, I still watch over them in prayer because of this simple technological aid! Knowing when it is night or when it is day for each enables me cover each one very specifically in my intercession.
When something goes awry, I am their first port of refuge, and the first one to receive their distress call. I am the first one to hear of their triumphs, and the first one to know of their defeats or failures. When they face tough and trying circumstances, I am available for prayer support or wise counsel. Being their mother, and knowing what makes each one tick, makes me instinctively sensitive to their ups and downs.
I feel they need me more now than before, though not in the same way or in the same sense as before. Being their back end support and their confidant is a privilege I don’t take lightly. I try to be there for them as much as possible, yet make time for myself or take periods of vacation where I can replenish myself.
As I am in touch with them often, being aware of their needs, I find it easy to respond to them with discernment. Often, I am able to understand what they need, and when they need, intuitively and instinctively, even if they don’t want to trouble me!
Spiritual Amplification
It was during one such time when I was wrapping up a call with one of my kids, that the true meaning and impact of the verse about God not being asleep hit me powerfully!
I had just risen up to a new day while he was going to bed. This meant that I would be awake while he slept. Of course it meant that, while he slept I would be watching over him in prayer regarding things he shared about his situation. During the course of a day, at least one of my three kids would be in bed while I am awake. At different times of the day, being awake, I would hold them up before the throne of God.
In one 24-hour period, I’m active in my role as a parent, though they’re not present physically with me. I would’ve either spoken with them, or prayed for them, or done something for them, or thought of them at least once. I would sometimes go to bed late just so I could have time with them. It’s part of my role as their mother, and one who watches over them!
Isn’t this the same way God watches over us, working out things for us, and thinking of us, always! Being the Creator and Father of all souls, He would have many people to consider, all the time. He would have to, therefore, be awake all the time to take care of all His created beings!
Again, at any minute of the day, in some place somewhere in the world, a number of people would be sleeping, while others were awake! Obviously, it meant that God would always be awake, for He is also the Protector and Preserver of life! He is outside the confines of time and space, and so, always able to take care of us, at any moment anywhere!
How precious, and comforting it is to know that He is awake while I sleep!
Precious Comfort
Therefore, He is never caught off-guard nor without a solution to our problems since He is awake! Nothing can sneak up on Him or trip Him up, for the eyes of the LORD range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to Him! He not only sees everything every time but sees the beginning from the end, and all the in-between too!
He is never at a loss for anything, nor is He caught unawares, nor without a plan or purpose for any and every contingency.
No wonder King David has declared in Psalm 3, I can lie down and sleep; I wake again, because the Lord sustains me. Not only this, but the Word of God has said: I alone know the plans I have for you, plans to bring you prosperity and not disaster, plans to bring about the future you hope for.
With such great assurance, may we fill ourselves with trust and faith in Him Who is the reason for the Advent season.
As we end a year, and begin a new year, may the eyes of our heart be enlightened, so that we may know the hope of His calling, the riches of His glorious inheritance in the saints, and the surpassing greatness of His power to us who believe!
May we rest and trust in Him Who neither sleeps nor slumbers, but watches over our comings and goings!
MULLINGSPICE 