It’s been more than two weeks since our son was born. Every parent knows the challenge of having a newborn especially during sleeping time. The baby cries in the middle of the night, either hungry or having pooped. Then you’ll help him get back to sleep.
During these moments, it’s hard to wake up, get up, and stay awake.
One time, Theo (our baby’s nickname) couldn’t get back to sleep even after breastfeeding. He kept crying, and it was around 2 a.m. So I had to carry him and hum hymns to calm him. When I got tired, I sat down, put a pillow on my lap, placed him there, and moved my legs sideways.
He was falling asleep already—and so was I.
I even thought of tying my belt around him and my thigh so he won’t fall in case I get unconscious. Thankfully, I survived and put him back asleep on the bed.
In that moment, I thought to myself, “Here I am, trying to take care and watch over my son with sleepy eyes and weary body… How about God?”
I recalled Psalm 121:3-4. It’s one of the psalms pilgrims heading to Jerusalem would sing along the journey.
It reads, “He will not let your foot be moved; he who keeps you will not slumber. Behold, he who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.” While every Christian father would want to reflect our heavenly Father—there is a complete contrast.
God, our Father in heaven, neither slumbers nor sleeps.
He never gets tired taking care of us, His children—for He is almighty. He never watches over us with weary eyes and wandering mind. There’s never a time He failed to look on us; nothing slips His attention. Indeed, He knows everything in us, watches all our movements, and sees even things yet to happen to us (Psalm 139:1-16).
So great is God’s abiding presence with believers that the Psalmist also says, “Unless the LORD builds the house, those who build it labor in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain” (Psalm 127:1). At the end of the day, it is God who blesses our efforts and protects us and everything that belongs to us.
The Heidelberg Catechism Lord’s Day 1, Question 1 speaks of the comfort and strength we Christians have in Christ:
“He also watches over me in such a way
that not a hair can fall from my head
without the will of my Father in heaven;
in fact, all things must work together for my salvation.”
That’s based on Matthew 10:29-31 and Romans 8:28.
Are you afraid of anything? Do you feel troubled? Are you worried you won’t make it through this rough day, week, or month? Are you anxious about anything for your body and soul? Do you even wonder if God knows and sees what you’re going through?
Remember, in Jesus Christ, God is our almighty God and heavenly Father. He loves us, provides for us, and keeps us. And take heart, Christian, he who keeps us will neither slumber nor sleep.