Thursday, July 08, 2010

Watchnight


As the Moses and the Israel nation left Egypt the Bible calls that night a WATCHNIGHT because God watched over them carefully.

God kept watch all night, watching over the Israelites as he brought them out of Egypt. Because God kept watch, all Israel for all generations will honor God by keeping watch this night—a watchnight. - Ex 12 v 42

Growing up I was taken each year to a Watchnight service at church. It started at 10:30 pm on the last night of the year and ran into the early hours of the new year. To be honest I used to hate going I wanted to be out celebrating with friends. But once I was there they were great times. It was one of those sorts of services where the floor was open for anyone to speak. After the obligatory long silence someone would break the ice. What I used to love was hearing people tell their story of how God had been involved in their lives through good and sometimes tragic circumstances. People that would never as much as say boo in a church service seemed to pluck up courage to honour their Saviour. Often tears ran down my face. Faith in the middle or crap always messes me up.

I guess they were called watchnight in that somehow we kept watch at night before God and kept our eyes on Him.

I think I still prefer God's version of Watchnight. When he is carefully watching over us even through the night of dark times. When the darkness invades and its way beyond your control and your are facing the death of your expectations, it's comforting to know the God who is in control is on watchnight duty.

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