The Crickets

Psalm 113:3 – From the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same the Lord's name is to be praised. (KJV)

Traditionally, a chorus of crickets entertains us during balmy summer evenings, while we sit in our outside retreats after a long day. They are very noisy, but as the crickets begin their song, I enjoy their chirps. These loud crickets, creatures of the night, are so very aware of the difference between the morning light and the darkness of evening. We usually don't think much about them unless we need them for fish bait or need to sweep one out of the kitchen. But to listen to them on a moonlit night is calming and mysterious. I listen to the joyous celebration, and I am reminded to sing my night song of praise, louder still, to God during good times or bad. The crickets chirp along as we sing our own song of praise in the night.

This fall, the flames of forest fires began licking at our doors here on the west coast of the United States of America. Because the smoke filtered the sunlight, the skies turned all shades of colour. The most difficult for me was when the skies became bright orange. My cousin, Loren, who lives in a distant county, noticed that the sky had turned black in the early afternoon because the clouds of smoke had completely blocked the sun. It was so dark that the crickets decided that it was time to sing. So, he took a video of the black early afternoon, along with the sound of the crickets chirping their songs in the background, and sent it to me.

Crickets have always brought me joy. Instantly, I was encouraged to think of my blessings during this particularly difficult day, as David did when he was distressed: "I have considered the days of old, the years of ancient times. I call to remembrance my song in the night" (Psalm 77:5-6a KJV). The crickets chirping in the video made me think of my Saviour Jesus, instead of the circumstances. I was reminded to sing the old hymns and pray. So, during the darkness –– in daytime –– as the crickets sang their song, I sang my songs of praise to God.

Our world is experiencing perilous times right now, with different problems in each region or country. Social unrest, government protest, lawlessness, politics, pandemic, and loss of life are licking at our doors around the world. Let us bring to mind God's faithfulness in past days, and learn to sing His songs in the night.

Prayer: Dear Father, we ask empowerment by the grace of Jesus Christ to be encouraged by even the smallest of events or words to sing praises to You in the dark times of life. Thank You for bringing unexpected gifts our way to strengthen and encourage us, and to teach us that we can sing songs of praise to Your glory at any time of the day or night. Amen.

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