What occupies your thoughts in the middle of the night?

What occupies your thoughts in the quiet moments of life? For most of us, those moments are quickly filled with worry, distraction, or the endless churn of daily concerns. But for Israel’s King David, those moments became a sanctuary for something greater: thinking about God.

In Psalm 63:6, David wrote, “I lie awake thinking of you, meditating on you through the night.” This wasn’t a one-time habit, it was the defining rhythm of his life. David’s mind often returned to God’s, His Word, His works, and His faithfulness, and this persistent focus shaped the man he was. It was no coincidence that God called him “a man after my own heart” (1 Samuel 13:14). David’s relationship with God wasn’t limited to public acts of worship or grand displays of faith; it thrived in the private, intentional space of his thoughts.

David’s reflections on God weren’t fleeting or superficial. In Psalm 77:11-12, he declares, “But then I recall all you have done, O Lord; I remember your wonderful deeds of long ago. They are constantly in my thoughts. I cannot stop thinking about your mighty works.” This wasn’t just about remembering facts; it was about immersing himself in the truth of who God is and what God has done. These meditations gave David perspective, anchoring him during times of triumph and trial.

When David faced overwhelming challenges, like standing before Goliath or fleeing from King Saul, his thoughts of God gave him courage. He remembered God’s past faithfulness and drew strength from it. In times of failure, David’s meditations turned his heart back to God, leading him to seek His mercy and renewal. And in moments of despair, David’s reflections brought him hope, reminding him that God’s promises were unshakable.

This kind of purposeful thinking is rare today. Our lives are filled with distractions that pull our attention in countless directions. Many of us struggle to carve out moments of stillness, let alone use them to think about God. Yet David’s example reminds us how vital it is to create space for intentional reflection.

Thinking about God isn’t just an intellectual exercise, it’s a spiritual discipline. When we meditate on His Word, His works, and His promises, it shapes our hearts and changes our lives. Consider how Psalm 1:3 describes the person who delights in God’s Word and meditates on it day and night: “They are like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season. Their leaves never wither, and they prosper in all they do.”

David didn’t become a man after God’s own heart by accident. His life shows us that what we think about matters deeply. If our thoughts are consumed with God — His character, His works, His promises — it can shape us into people after His heart.

So, pause for a moment. What occupies your thoughts? What if, like David, you began to fill your mind with God? Take time to meditate on Him, His Word, reflect on His works, and dwell on His faithfulness. As you do, you’ll find that your thoughts don’t just shape your day, they shape you.

Scotty