A Midnight Meeting With God

One of my most popular posts is titled How to Meet God in the Night Hours. Thousands of people have read it because they are hungry to meet with God. I have learned to treasure my frequent insomnia, since it often leads me to close communion with the Lord.

A Midnight Meeting With God

Lately, in our meetings between 1:00 a.m. and 4:00 a.m., God has been pulling out thorns from my heart. Thorns of anger and bitterness I didn’t even realize existed. Some of them have been embedded for months; others for many years.

The apostle Paul had a thorn that he begged God to take away. He wrote,

In order to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” 2 Cor. 12:7-9 NIV

God chose not to remove Paul’s thorn, because it brought more glory to let it remain. I have thorns like that in my life too–ones that are staying put. God is removing other thorns in my heart for a different kind of glory–a glory of healing and redemption.

If you want God to remove thorns from your heart, all you need to do is ask. This is a prayer he will be sure to answer. You need to make sure you’re ready to take responsibility for removing it. You may need to confess sins, let go of grudges, and possibly even meet with your offenders. It’s hard work, and you may need professional help to complete the task.

God as Your Counselor in Midnight Meetings

God himself is the best Counselor we can have. Read this scripture:

But the Helper (Comforter, Advocate, Intercessor—Counselor, Strengthener, Standby), the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name [in My place, to represent Me and act on My behalf], He will teach you all things. And He will help you remember everything that I have told you. John 14:26 AMP

This is how God meets me as a Counselor in our middle-of-the-night sessions:

1. I wake up and say, “Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening,” based on 1 Samuel 3:9. Then I wait to hear from him.

2. God normally asks me a thought-provoking question about a struggle, just like my Christian counselor did in the five years I received counseling. Sometimes I don’t want to answer it, because I know it will be painful. But God often asks it again, reminding me that I can trust him with my heart.

3. As I answer, God shows me the truth of the situation through his eyes. He often shows me that though others intended harm, he was there with me. The Lord shows me how he was protecting me even during my life storms. He loved me then just like he loves me now.

4. After that realization, God comforts me with his loving presence (Song of Songs 8:3). He also gives me “homework” to apply different ways of handling the problem now. I meditate on a hopeful scripture, and then fall back to sleep in peace.

Grow Your Faith with Midnight Meetings

My middle-of-the-night meetings with God have grown my faith to mountain heights. I hope that the next time you struggle with insomnia, you’ll see it as an opportunity to connect deeply with God. Also, if God the Counselor reveals things that are too difficult to handle on your own, there is no shame in meeting with a Christian counselor in your area. That may be the very reason God pulls out a particular thorn. Please don’t hesitate to get help if you need it.

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