Songs in the Day; Songs in the Night

What a remarkable statement: "Any man can sing in the day, but only God can give songs in the night!"

Have you ever experienced hard, possibly unsolvable trials or difficulties? Have you ever had a sinking feeling in the pit of your stomach that nothing was right, and everything was wrong? "Ichabod" may be the lament shouted as you plop down under a Weeping Willow Tree, wringing your hands in dismay. That is complaining.

On the other hand, if you want songs in the night, God must be praised during trials. What pleases God when He sees us in the midst of distress? To praise His name in song and glorify Him with thanksgiving. The ability to do this, however, is a gift of God. To receive this gift we have to commit our lives and service into His hands, and be convinced that God is. Only God Himself can give us the courage to stand steadfast, to tie a knot at the end of our rope, and HOLD ON during periods of uncertainty and trials, while still praising Him. In Scripture this is known as songs in the night.

This is illustrated by two examples of songs in the night; one of trials, Job, and one of uncertainty, Habakkuk. Moses serves as an example of a song in the day.

JOB'S SONG IN THE NIGHT

Job is but one who was able to sing in the night. Job had some bad advisors, but a response from his friend, Elihu is interesting:

"Because of the multitude of oppressions they cry out; They cry for help because of the arm of the mighty. But no one says, Where is God my Maker, Who gives songs in the night" (Job 35:9-10). Now, Elihu was talking truth here. He told Job that everybody seeks God when they are faced with double trouble, but no one gives Him praise for the mess they are in. The psalmist tells us that to praise God in trouble is pleasing to Him.

Monastics arise during the wee hours of the morning to sing praises to God, but songs in the night are more than this. Songs in the night speak to one's personal attitude where he praises God in the face of trecherous times, where one not only has to walk across fire, but face bolders, mountains, and valleys. Job experienced this. His wealth became poverty. Though Job had periods of vasilation, he did have his songs in the night. This one is recorded in Job 1:20-21: