Photo by bruce mars on Unsplash

Written the morning of January 7, 2021, after the violence at the nation’s capital building.

Many of us went to bed last night full of angst and fear based on the events at the capital building yesterday.  And many awoke this morning wondering how the troubling issues may have progressed or changed overnight.  In fact, as my husband came upstairs from the bedroom this morning, his first words to me were, “What happened overnight?”

I guess he assumed that since I am such an early bird I probably had already checked the news (which supposedly keeps us fully informed of important things we’re supposed to believe). No, I hadn’t checked the news yet, but I had been praying.

I pondered how to answer his question and my conversation with God took on a new focus. In fact, I asked the Lord the same question. “What happened overnight, God?”  Perhaps my request was meant to amuse myself creatively, but God began to answer my query with a flood of Bible verses. These verses inspired some wonderings which I share below.

Imagine just a few of these possibilities with me now (and if you’d like to add to this list, please do so in the comment section of this blog).

QUESTION: What happened overnight, God?

ANSWER #1:  I sent angels to protect the many souls huddling together in fear throughout refugee camps in Kenya. Other angels were dispatched to the homeless on the streets of Denver to warm and shield them from harm.

“The Lord has not despised or abhorred the affliction of the afflicted, and He has not hidden His face from them, but has heard their cry.” – Psalm 22:24

ANSWER#2:  My Holy Spirit imparted strength to persecuted Christians in Nigeria and imprisoned Christians in North Korea to assure them of My surrounding presence.

“Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers them out of them all.” – Psalm 34:19

ANSWER #3:  Dreams and visions were given to those who’ve been seeking a deeper understanding of My ways.

“And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,  your old men shall dream dreams,  and your young men shall see visions.” – Joel 2:28

ANSWER #4:  I heard the prayers of many little ones asking for their sick grandpa or grandma to be okay, or for their favorite pet to behave, or for their school to stay open during the COVID threat.

“ Then children were brought to him that he might lay his hands on them and pray. The disciples rebuked the people, but Jesus said, ‘Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.’ ”  — Matthew 19:13-14

ANSWER #5:  I heard many prayers from health care workers, first responders, teachers and other public servants asking for an end to the COVID pandemic. Many of those pleas included confession of sin and cries of repentance.

“If my people who are called by my name humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” – 2 Chronicles 7:14

ANSWER #6:  I laid my blanket of peace upon those who experience night terrors, whether that be from childhood trauma or other horrific experiences from this fallen world.

“In peace I will both lie down and sleep; for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.”                 – Psalm 4:8

ANSWER #7:  I quieted fear in those affected by natural disasters. I also stilled the seas and the quaking earth in answer to their cries.

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling.”                           – Psalm 46:1-3

ANSWER #8:  I spoke truth to the minds of those in power in order to address the lies of the evil one. Some refused to hear, but others found needed reassurance.

“…He (the devil) was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies.” – John 8:44

“And though the Lord give you the bread of adversity and the water of affliction, yet your Teacher will not hide himself anymore, but your eyes shall see your Teacher. And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, ‘This is the way, walk in it,’ when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left.” – Isaiah 30:21

ANSWER #9:  I gave supernatural courage to those who must confront the lies of the evil one with truth. There were many in government and the media who asked for bravery to do the right thing.

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” – Joshua 1:9

Obviously, there could be many additional answers God might give to this question. The point is this: God is sovereign.  And with that perspective, we can trust that He is at work at all times in the enormity of every arena of life in our fallen world. He imparts truths, guidance, protection and comfort as only the omniscient, omnibenevolent and omnipotent Most High God can. Let us rest in this sovereignty as we pray our nation through the current turmoil.

“Day to day pours out speech, and night to night reveals knowledge.” – Psalm 19:2

NOTE:  Please feel free to add your own imaginings and verses in the comment section below.  And don’t forget to sign up for my mailing list to be notified of future blogs.