Bad things happen in this world. Sometimes the trouble is so bad that you cry yourself to sleep. (You don’t have to be embarrassed to admit it.)
You cry yourself to sleep when your pet dies, when your friends say horrible things about you, when you get suspended and disappoint your parents, or when you feel so sick that medicine doesn’t make you feel better.
David, who was the king of an entire country, had lots of reasons to cry himself to sleep. He was sick, he felt guilty about his sins, and his enemies were mocking him. All he could do was cry. “I am worn out from my groaning. My eyes flood my bed every night. I soak my couch with tears. My eyes blur from grief” (Psalm 6:6,7).
The one thing David didn’t do, though, was forget about God and his goodness. He prayed for God to help him—and God answered. David ends his psalm confidently: “The Lord has heard the sound of my crying. The Lord has heard my plea for mercy. The Lord accepts my prayer” (verses 8,9).
When you cry in bed at night, God hears you. Ask him for his mercy; he loves to listen. He accepts your prayers because Jesus has washed away your sin and given you the right to call God your Daddy. Talk to your Father and sleep in peace.
Chomp on this!
What has made you cry yourself to sleep?
What kind of prayer can you say when you feel so sad that you can’t sleep?
Dear God, when I cry, I feel so alone. Remind me that you see me, listen to me, and hear my prayers. You accept my prayers because Jesus has given me peace with you. Thank you. Amen.
