Nighttime can be a fearful time for some children. My girls were no exception to the fear of “things in the dark.” My husband affectionately referred to those things as “Hanger Man.” If the closet door got left open in the bedroom and then the lights were turned off, the things in the closet could look like all kinds of scary creatures! As parents, we did what would could to alleviate their fears. Closet doors were promptly shut, night lights were clicked on, a story was read, prayers said, and music was turned on. Many nights their daddy would even lie down with them (guess who went to sleep first?). Going to bed was an event! I even would occasionally put a surprise under the girls’ pillows to reward them for getting into bed promptly. We went before them to ensure their safety and peace of mind in order that they might sleep well and not be afraid.
A Father’s Provision
Most nights all of this effort payed off, but not always. Even though we’d gone before them to ensure their safety we’d sometimes still hear the call from down the hallway, “Daddy! I need you! I’m afraid!”
This morning as I read Psalm 78 and was reminded of how God went before the Israelites to care for them, I saw God as a loving Father. He wanted them to trust Him to provide for them, and know that He was taking care of their every need. However, as you know, they complained and were dissatisfied with what God did for them. They weren’t always sure that He would be with them. Wouldn’t the pillar of fire been a wonderful “night light?” Yet verse 32 says “For all this they sinned still, and believed not for his wondrous works.” Why did they do this? Verse 37 explains: “For their heart was not right with him, neither were they steadfast in his covenant.” After all He’d done they still turned their hearts away from God.
It’s easy to wonder how they could do this, yet I find myself calling out in the dark, too, forgetting what God has done for me just a little while ago. A new “hanger man” appears and I become worried and anxious instead of looking for the provision of the “night light” He has in front of me. I forget what He did for me yesterday, what He wrote in His Word and promises to do. But God, the loving Father, doesn’t turn me away as I so deserve. In verses 38 and 39 it says, But he being full of compassion, forgave their iniquity, and destroyed them not; yea, many a time turned he his anger away, and did not stir up all his wrath, For he remembered that they were but flesh…” However, because of the demands they placed on God, it tells us in verse 41 that they “limited the Holy One of Israel.” Spurgeon says, “To chalk out a path for God is arrogant impiety.” He is Lord and he will do what seems good for His children.
Instead of being fitful, fearful and demanding, trust God. Look behind you at all that He’s done in the past and remind yourself that you can also trust Him for today. He’s gone before you in the darkness. The “hanger men” have been removed and He’ll even reward you for trusting and obeying Him! Trust His provisions for you.
RefreshHer 