But no one says, ‘Where is God my Maker, who gives songs in the night?’” ~ Job 35:10

When the young Elihu finally got a chance to speak to Job, he pointed out that even in the middle of Job’s suffering, God was still there and still concerned. Elihu may not have had all the right answers, but he did remind Job of God, the Creator, “who gives songs in the night” (Job 35:10).
Do you sometimes need songs in the night? I know I do. When the darkness descends upon my worry and suffering, the pain only seems to intensify. In the dark, I need God to send me a song. The psalmist exhorted people to “sing for joy on their beds” (Ps. 149:5) – and for good reason. Songs can lift the downcast soul and help ease the suffering.

It is comparatively easy to whistle a tune under a cloudless sky. In fact, I seldom suffer from insomnia when all is well. It is trouble that chases sleep away. When I can’t sleep, when I am afraid and find no comfort, when my thoughts run around in my head and refuse to let me rest, then I need to ask God to fill my nights with joyful songs. I need to remember other sleepless nights – how the day dawned and the shadows flew away when he gave me a song to sing.

There have been sleepless nights, but never a night unmatched by a song! God brought me words of comfort – songs in the night. God is the songwriter. It is up to us to listen, learn, and then to sing!

So join me and say, Dear Lord, when the night is dark and the dawn of relief seems a long way off, put Your song in my head and in my heart. Remind me of other times when Your peace surrounded me until the answers came. Help me to listen and sing Your song of joy. Amen.

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