Bible Reading: Isaiah 21:1-end
“The burden of Dumah. He calleth to me out of Seir, Watchman, what of the night? Watchman, what of the night? The watchman said, The morning cometh, and also the night: if you will enquire, enquire ye: return, come” – Isaiah 21:11-12(KJV)
The earth and human activities are predicated on two major seasons – the Day and Night seasons. These seasons are cyclical and recurring i.e. it goes round continuously non-stop. It is operated on divine covenant and decree of the Almighty God that cannot be altered. Jeremiah 33:20(KJV): “Thus saith the LORD; if you can break my covenant of the day, and my covenant of the night, and that there should not be day and night in their season;” Further elucidating on this Jeremiah 33: 25(KJV) says, “Thus saith the LORD; if my covenant be not and night, and if I have not appointed the ordinances of heaven and earth;” The Almighty God is likening His covenant of the day and the night to His everlasting commitment to have the seed of David occupy the throne of Israel the seed of Abraham. The cyclical nature of these seasons and their perpetual revolution was what the prophet meant by “… The morning cometh, and also the night: if you will enquire, enquire ye: return, come” – Isaiah 21:12(KJV). These seasons come and go in continuous succession. The seasons moves in the circle of time measured in seconds, minutes, hours and days which make up months and years. Time which cannot be stopped creates the seasons of days and nights in it continuous revolution. It does not wait for anyone.
In human activities the night season connotes a period of gloominess and weeping usually typified by darkness, while the day season is a period of heavy activities and joy usually symbolized by light. “For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning” – Psalm 30:5 (KJV). There is a considerable reduction of activities and restriction of movement in the night season. The night season is the time to rest and prepare for the coming day season. The night season in a man’s life is a time of sober reflection – a time to think through one’s life either for regrets or for better repositioning. It is referred to by some scholars as wilderness experience. Just as the physical night season witnesses a lot of activities of darkness and evil arrows flying around and men dream dreams, so also is the night season in a man’s life dominated with negative forces of depression, regrets, hurt, offences, bitterness, helplessness, sleep and bad dreams. “My bones are pierced in me in the night season: and my sinews take no rest” – Job 30: 17(KJV)However, the night though it is dominated by negative forces can be made veritable time for searching, meditation and strategizing to a discerning mind. This was what the Psalmist meant when he said, “I will bless the LORD, who hath given me counsel: my reins also instruct me in the night seasons” – Psalm 16:7 (KJV).
Continues tomorrow!!
Prayer: Father, give me understanding in handling my night season.
Bro. Joel Ezeugo