“When I lie down I say, ‘When shall I arise?’ But the night continues, and I am continually tossing until dawn. My flesh is clothed with worms and a crust of dirt. My skin hardens and runs. My days are swifter than a weaver’s shuttle, and come to an end without hope. Remember that my life is but breath; My eye will not again see good” (Job 7:4ff).
“If I say, ‘My bed will comfort me, my couch will ease my complaint,’ then you frighten me with dreams and terrify me by visions; so that my soul would choose suffocation, death rather than my pains” (Job 7:13ff).
These are the words of Job, a man depressed by immense suffering. His sorrow brought sleepless nights and restless nightmares. As he considered his life, he saw no future and no possibility for joy. But his feelings were not the truth. After his anguish ended (and it did end), God again blessed him and filled his life with gladness:
“The Lord blessed the latter days of Job more than his beginning…after this, Job lived 140 years, and saw his sons and his grandsons, four generations. And Job died, an old man and full of days” (Job 42:12ff).
Even when his nights were long and restless, there was hope for Job. There was good yet to be discovered in his future. Always remember, if you remain faithful as Job did, there is hope in Christ and good to be revealed for you. Though the night is long, the day will dawn. With that day will come blessings that make even the most wearisome nights worth their difficulty.