A Strange Night

Last night (or rather early this morning) I woke up at 3am and just couldn't fall back asleep because of some restlessness inside. My heart was beating much faster than a normal resting body and my mind was racing. There was just some sort of nervousness and unsettled feeling that I couldn't understand or even describe to Greg as I woke him up. He stroked my head and told me how he wished he could just make me feel better but he couldn't. I asked him to pray for me as we sat in our bed in the dark. It can be a weird, nerve-racking sense to know that we are so out of control of our circumstances, the people surrounding us, and even of our own physical bodies. But the Lord promises that He will protect us.

This morning as I woke, a little tired but feeling incredibly better, I sat down to read a few chapters in Job. There were some great verses that hit me in new ways, considering my early morning, that I want to share. First, in Job 4 and 5 Eliphaz the Temanite is answering and encouraging Job in his troubles saying, "Is not your fear of God your confidence, and the integrity of your ways your hope?...As for me, I would seek God, and to God would I commit my cause, who does great things and unsearchable, marvelous things without number" (4:6, 5:8-9).  Eliphaz goes on to remind Job of just how powerful God is and how He will be the great Protector in any time of need:

 "He will deliver you from six troubles; in seven no evil shall touch you. In famine he will redeem you from death, and in war from the power of the sword. You shall be hidden from the lash of the tongue, and shall not fear destruction when it comes. At destruction and famine you shall laugh, and shall not fear the beasts of the earth. For you shall be in league with the stones of the field, and the beasts of the field shall be at peace with you. You shall know that your tent is at peace, and you shall inspect your fold and miss nothing. You shall know also that your offspring shall be many, and your descendants as the grass of the earth. You shall come to your grave in ripe old age, like a sheaf gathered up in its season. Behold, this we have searched out; it is true. Hear, and know it for your good" (5:19-27).

I know this passage is from a long time ago, meant to help out a man in distress. But I really do believe that our God is this powerful today. He is able to keep me from danger and from inner restlessness. I don't know exactly what my heart, mind, and soul were mulling over last night, but I do know that my God is bigger than it all.