Many of us experience anxiety to some degree as we journey through our lives. For some it is an occasional episode brought about by troubling life circumstances, and for others, it intrudes over and over, uninvited and unwelcomed, pervasive and debilitating.

We are at our most vulnerable in the dark, stillness of the night. Our thoughts can turn to the beauty of God and His love for us, the quietness of our breaths, in and out, and the peace that is beyond our understanding, that comes somehow from being deeply connected to the living God, His Son, and Spirit. But our thoughts can also turn towards chaos and disorder, where fear or worries chase the peace and quiet away and leave us anxious and distressed, helpless and lost, and unable to sleep as the darkness slowly turns to the pale light of the new day.

In this psalm there is so much that is beautifully comforting and encouraging for anyone who experiences anxious thoughts. It reminds us that the Lord watches over us, He’s always there, He will keep us from harm, He won’t let us slip and stumble, and He is with us in this present moment, whatever it looks like in our lives, and He is with us for ever – steadfast, loving and powerful. Imagine walking through your everyday life with these words embedded into your heart. What confidence, what trust, what peace would come from this!

Pray this psalm aloud and experience how it brings calm to the fast-beating heart, peace to the troubled mind, and assurance to the spirit. Fall asleep without anxiety about your life because you know that He is always awake.