Some little time ago the sun disappeared behind the line of trees bordering our home, and now the whole world — or so it seems — has been plunged into darkness. Night has fallen. Silent and impenetrable, like a heavy suffocating shroud.
In our kitchen, also, darkness covers the countertops and veils the cabinets. We can easily imagine the appliances all slumbering, each of them tucked away … waiting for a new dawn.
And yet, there’s a ghostly light, glowing faint and green. It manifests itself as a set of cryptic numbers, which appear to hover motionless against the night … until a single digit changes … advancing the time, keeping track of the long hours before the faithful sun reappears in the east.
“2:10 a.m.” announces the clock above the range. Unseen by us, Sparky (the gas range) has been keeping watch. While most of the surrounding world sleeps, he lies awake, maintaining the optimum pressure of propane in his lines, ready to flame on at a moment’s notice, should one of us need him in the wee hours. Perhaps he’s contemplating the fried eggs he’ll help to prepare in the morning; or perhaps he simply lies quietly, sensing the presence of another appliance huddled in the darkness, biding its time till breakfast.
Sparky flashes the time — 2:11 a.m. — to his patient kitchen mate, Mr. Keurig, who’s been keeping the water in his reservoir nice and hot, lest he be unprepared to make us cocoa after we suddenly awaken from a bad
dream. He gently whispers a prayer that sounds like the swish of an angel’s wings; and Sparky smiles, knowing his friend has had too much caffeine!
From across the room a dull groan pierces the darkness, followed by a startling ker-chunk! 2:12 a.m…. Fridgey has been making ice all along, while preserving the
foods entrusted to his care! Like Sparky and Mr. Keurig, he never sleeps. He stays on duty 24/7, patiently waiting, preparing, preserving, and protecting throughout the night.
These angels in the kitchen are always ready to spring into action at a moment’s notice. They understand we need them, and never need a lot of coaxing to meet our needs!
In life, too, “night” has a way of creeping in. We suddenly find ourselves facing difficult problems, and the future starts to look black. The Son (of God) seems to have disappeared for a time, and we can sense a spiritual darkness falling around us “Silent and impenetrable, like a heavy suffocating shroud.” We feel alone, perhaps even fearful, and we begin to doubt everything we know and believe in.
But we’re never alone in the dark hours of life. God is always present — even if we can’t see Him or feel His presence! And like those faithful appliances in the kitchen, He’s always working on our behalf, looking out for our best interests, constantly able and ready to “supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:19 NLT) And (as Mr. Keurig seems to know) He’s only a whispered prayer away!
Our Heavenly Father encourages each of us to “Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things….” (Jeremiah 33:3 AKJV) Furthermore, He’s always listening and answering — 24/7 — because He never sleeps. (Psalm 121:4 NLT) Instead, God quietly and patiently continues to care for us throughout our darkest hours.
So when the night closes in, call out to the Creator of the Universe. Like Fridgey, Sparky and Mr. Keurig, the Lord is always present, always
vigilant, always “preparing, preserving, and protecting [us] throughout the night.” Never lose faith, and never forget: “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it.” (John 1:5 NLT)
A new day will soon dawn. Start it — and every day — by looking up! Look to God both day and night, remembering He’s always on the job! Follow the example of the Psalmist, who wrote: “I lift up my eyes to the hills…. [Because] My help comes from the LORD. …He who keeps you will not slumber. Behold, he who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.” (Psalm 121:1-4 ESV)