I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago. I will meditate on all of your works and consider all your mighty deeds. Your path led through the sea, your way through the mighty waters, though your footprints were not seen. You led your people like a flock by the hand of Moses and Aaron. Psalm 77: 11,12, 19-20.

These words were written by Asaph, Israel's chief worship leader. He is going through a difficult and dark time in his life. He is crying out to God for help. He's crying out to God to hear him. His soul is not at rest. His spirit is growing faint. All of this is happening to him at night. He can't sleep and the implication is that his mind is magnifying all his of his problems. I've been there, haven't you? Too worried to sleep. Too tired to articulate words.

It seems as though spiritual battles intensify under the shroud of darkness; at night time.

* Satan filled Judas' heart at supper time.

* Jesus was arrested at the midnight hour.

* Daniel was thrown in the lions den during the midnight watches.

* The disciples never sailed into a day time storm. It was always night.

The pressure mounts at night. The worries increase. The monsters come out of the closet during the night.

The great thing about this psalm is that it teaches us how to light up the night with God's presence. Asaph focused his thoughts on God and it brought light to the night. From those verses above I see three ways we focus are thoughts on God.

1. Remembering God's deeds. Asaph is remembering the miracles of God. He's remembering that God is in the delivering business. When we're going through a dark time we can turn on a flashlight of God's past power and light up the night.

2. Meditating on God's works. Asaph focused his thoughts on the the ways of God. He makes a conscious effort to do this. He says, "I will meditate on your works..." We too must be intentional about what we are going to focus on. If we focus on the dark; it remains dark. If we focus on the light; things begin to change.

3. Considering God's power. Asaph focused his thinking on how powerful God is. He thought about the Red Sea crossing. That God made a way by leading His people through the Sea. God doesn't always lead us around a problem, but we can count on Him to always lead us through! God will always shepherd His people.

We can light up the night by focusing on God. He will make a way. He will be our guide. He will never leave us. He will always shepherd His people.

I hope you will read Psalm 77 I know it will bring His light to your soul today.

Pastor Tim