Psalm 74:16, 17
Both day and night belong to you; 
you made the starlight and the sun. 
You set the boundaries of the earth, 
and you made both summer and winter. (NLT)

The day is yours, also the night; 
you established the moon and the sun. 
You set all the boundaries of the earth; 
you made summer and winter. (CSB)

—

These verses are frequently used by the creators of Lectio 365 (24-7prayer.com) in the Night Prayer guided meditation. It’s comforting to remember who God is as we lay our bodies down to sleep. He made day and night, starlight and sun. He set the boundaries of the earth and established the seasons. And we belong to him.

Daymaker is our Father in Heaven.

Dreammaker is our Creator.

Earthmaker shaped our world and adorned it with beauty.

Intervalmaker made seasons to help us mark our age.

And we belong to him.

Even now, the morning sun announces its coming with the first bluing of the eastern sky. A nearby cardinal sings its praise. 

Day and night, constellation and cloud, wave and beach, era and epoch announce God’s reality and glory. He made it all.

And we belong to him.

—

I rest peacefully each evening and sing with the birds each morning as I call to mind how great is our God, and that we belong to him.

—

Our Father, last night, I called to mind Psalm 4:8 as I made my final moves toward sleep. “In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, O LORD, will keep me safe.” I awoke this morning with gratitude for deep rest and the opportunities of a new day. Lead me step by step through this day. Guide my every thought. Place your words in my mouth. Make my heart more like yours. I belong to you. Amen.