Songs in the Night

SONGS IN THE NIGHT

 

"Where is God my Maker, who gives songs in the night?" -- Job (Job 35:10, NIV)

 

Ludwig von Beethoven, one of the world's greatest musicians, was born

into a musical family in Germany. As a child he spent many lonely hours

practicing his music every day.

 

By the age of eleven he was already composing his own music and conducting

an orchestra. In his late teens he went to Vienna for further study.

There he reached fame though not fortune.

 

One evening as he was out walking, he passed a cobbler's house where he heard

someone inside practicing one of his compositions. As he stopped to listen

he overheard a girl say that she wished she could hear a real musician play it properly.

 

Beethoven went into the house and, noticing the young lady at the piano was blind,

offered to play the piece for her. He did so for her for more than an hour and while he did,

darkness fell and the lone candle in the room had gone out.

 

Outside in the night sky the moon shone brightly and sent its radiant beams

glistening into the room where Beethoven sat playing beautiful music.

He was so inspired by the appreciation of his music by the young lady

and the beauty of the atmosphere in the room that he composed his famous

"Moonlight Sonata."

 

Do you ever feel that your dreams have been shattered and you feel all alone

in the darkness of despair. I certainly have. However, when our life is committed

to Christ, it's in these "dark nights of the soul" when God is working in us to help us grow,

to give us more understanding of life, and compassion for others -- and in time

will bring back the music into our life.

 

Suggested prayer: “Dear God, thank you for the dark nights you have led me through –

dark nights that have helped me grow, become a healthier, happier and more whole person,

and given me a much greater understanding of others. Gratefully, in Jesus' name.                

Amen.”