What do 
you do at nighttime? That may sound like a foolish question, yet many people treat the night differently from the day. They often have daytime activities and separate nighttime activities. Some say that evil lurks in the night darkness. That may be true if we consider the number of crimes and types of sins committed at night as opposed to the day.
If we page through the Scriptures we will see many interesting accounts of nighttime activities. Jacob’s nighttime dream brought him a ladder to heaven. At night the angel of death passed through Egypt killing the firstborn of the godless. God led his wilderness wanderers during the night with a pillar of fire, and Samuel awakened during the night when he heard the voice of God speaking to him.
The New Testament tells us that the shepherds watched their flocks by night, and a night sky certainly aided the Magi. It was also at night when Joseph and Mary fled to Egypt, escaping the slaughter of the Bethlehem babies.
Much of Jesus’ passion took place during the night. The darkness of night covered the Garden of Gethsemane where Jesus prayed. It was also during that same night that the rooster crowed and Peter realized his unfaithfulness.
Yet there is one story of the night that takes on special importance for God’s people. It was the night that a troubled man sought answers for a troubled mind.
Nicodemus was a wealthy and influential man in Jerusalem. He was a Pharisee and a teacher of the law and was one of the 70 elite who sat in judgment at the Sanhedrin. His knowledge was frequently sought and his words carried great weight. Yet Nicodemus was also a troubled man.
It began during the Passover feast when Jerusalem was astir with crowds of visitors. Jesus had just caused mayhem in the temple courts when he overturned the tables of the money changers, healed the sick, and taught the people about heavenly things.
Nicodemus needed to find out more about this rabbi, so he came to Jesus at night. It was a lengthy and heartfelt meeting between the two. During their discussion Jesus spoke the words that have been put to memory by millions of God’s children: “God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16).
That visit turned Nicodemus’ night to day. It opened the eyes of this blind scholar. Nicodemus found something that night that he had been searching for.
How do you spend your nights? Are they filled with worry and concern? Do they magnify your guilt and sorrow? Are they troubled times filled with restlessness and anxiety?
David spent some long and sleepless nights. “I am worn out from groaning; all night long I flood my bed with weeping” (Psalm 6:6). He also gave us some wonderful council on turning our nights into wonderful times: “On my bed I remember you; I think of you through the watches of the night” (Psalm 63:6). “In the night I remember your name, O Lord” (Psalm 119:55).
We should welcome and not fear the night. The darkness of night provides God’s people with a sanctuary in which to spend precious moments in meditation and prayer. Here we can bring our questions to God, search his will, and talk to the Master. Here we can escape the distractions of the day and expose our hearts to the Lord, just like Nicodemus.
Nicodemus found his answers. His heart discovered a place of peace and rest. After the night visit with the Savior, Nicodemus’ nights were never the same again. Nicodemus knew where to find his answers in the night. His search was over. The Light of the world filled his darkness!
Spend time tonight in thoughtful devotion to God.
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