Watching Over You
Well, yesterday was Father's Day, and I hope it was a special one for you. It always makes me think of a song that my friend Gavin wrote, and with his permission, I'm gonna take you through some of the lyrics of this song this week.
A Father’s Presence
It begins like this:
As I was read my bedtme stories, just before I went to sleep
I would hear of all creation and the creatures of the deep
Then my daddy would turn the light out saying ”It's time to close your eyes
But the Father who may don't even read will be with you tonight”
It's a great story song and as we go through the lyrics this week, I'm sure you're going to grow to love it as much as I do.
And so this first verse paints a picture of a child being read to by their father about the God who created everything. And then as he closes the book, the father says “the same one who made everything we read about is going to be with you tonight watching over you”.
This reminds me of the children's prayer:
Now I lay me down to sleep
I pray the Lord my soul to keep
To guard and guide me through the night
And wake me in the morning's light. Amen.
Prayers Before Sleep
I wonder if you pray any prayers as you get into bed? I remember as a child I started to pray this particular set of prayers - for all the people in my life and my pets. I remember that! I would work through this list of people I would ask to protect. And even now I need to pray a closing prayer for the day when I get into bed.
In fact, here’s another one that I found and I can't even remember where I found it, but I've got it written down:
Before the ending of the day
Creator of the world we pray
That you with steadfast love would keep
Your watch around us while we sleep
From evil dreams, defend our sight
From fears and terrors of the night
Tread under foot our deadly foe
That we no sinful thought may know
Hear Father, that we ask be done
Through Jesus Christ, your only Son
And Holy Spirit, by whose breath
Our souls are raised to life from death.
Lovely prayers! Of course, you don't have to pray a written prayer. You can just pray from the heart when you get into bed.
God Watches Over Us
But the point here is that God like a Father watches over us as we sleep. Of course, unlike our earthly fathers who also have to sleep, God still watches over us. Psalm 121:4 says “He who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. The Lord watches over you.”
But I remember as a child I always felt safer when I knew Dad was at home. When he was away somehow we were a bit uneasy at night in our home. You and I have got God the Father looking after us, looking over us as we sleep.
Will you end every one of your days remembering that the Father who made all of creation is with you and watches over you? Maybe then you can join with David who said in Psalm 4:8, “In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety.”
