about midnight paul and silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them, [acts 16:25]
in 2 corinthians, paul talks about incidences like this one:
in toil and hardship, through many a sleepless night, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure [2 corinthians 11:27]
i for one, have had many sleepless nights–so what are they for? for starters, they are not for worrying about tomorrow or panicking in the insomnia–God sees us and knows our needs and cares for us–the bible says so–
do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. [philippians 4:6-7]
therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘what shall we eat?’ or ‘what shall we drink?’ or ‘what shall we wear?’ for the gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. but seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. [matthew 6:31-33]
humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you [1 peter 5:6-7]
paul and silas show us what sleepless nights in distress are for:
o Lord, God of my salvation,
i cry out day and night before you.
let my prayer come before you;
incline your ear to my cry! [psalm 88:1-2]
i rise before dawn and cry for help;
i hope in your words.
my eyes are awake before the watches of the night,
that i may meditate on your promise. [psalm 119:147-148]
when you cannot sleep, when you are awakened in the night, let us use it as an opportunity to cry out to God, pray-sing, worship! when no one is awake, when no emails or texts are being sent, let us be still, and let worship pour out in his presence–he is be showing us our desperate need for his only Son, Jesus.–let us give him glory, all day and night!
~ ce