4 I will praise you as long as I live,
    and in your name I will lift up my hands.
5 I will be fully satisfied as with the richest of foods;
    with singing lips my mouth will praise you.

6 On my bed I remember you;

I think of you through the watches of the night.

7 Because you are my help,

I sing in the shadow of your wings.
8 I cling to you; I will praise you as long as I live,
and in your name I will lift up my hands. (Psalm 63: 4-8a NIV).

I often am awake during the night. Sometimes I fret that I’m awake and not resting. Lately, I’ve tried not to be distressed in my “watch of the night” and think of them as a gift to communicate with my God. Sometimes I sing songs. Sometimes I pray. Often I quote verses from the Bible that I’ve memorized.

There’s a whole lot of trouble these days. I don’t need to remind anyone of the toils of  our world. Wars, rumors of wars. Division of opinions. I don’t have to list all of them because you are aware. That’s why when I am troubled—day or night—I turn to the God of David, who wrote the above psalm in the wilderness of Judah. David was a warrior, yet he needed the consolation and help of the same God we seek and know.

That can be a comfort to each of us. I pray for those who are in the midst of war. For those who are being sent to war. For those who fear tyrants. For those on their beds, not able to sleep because of grief and loss or those in pain. For those in personal conflict.

The hymn for today is about the priceless treasure that Jesus is.

Jesus, priceless treasure…..

Though the earth be shaking,

Every heart be quaking,

God dispels our fear;

Sin and hell in conflict fell

With their heaviest storms assail us,

Jesus will not fail us.

Hence, all thoughts of sadness!

For the Lord of gladness,

Jesus, enters in;

Those who love the Father,

Though the storms may gather,

Still have peace within;

Yea, whate’er we here must bear,

Still in Thee lies purest pleasure,

Jesus, priceless treasure! (Johann Franck (1618-1677)

We rarely sing these treasures of words written by men and women so long ago. I hope they bring comfort in these tumultuous times. And as the words above, Though the storms may gather, Still have peace within;

I’m grateful for those from the past wrote down their fears, joys, and pleasures and left them for us to strengthen and help.

Enjoy the beautiful colors of spring—a priceless treasure and gift of creation.