Genesis 1:4

And God, looking on the light, saw that it was good: and God made a division between the light and the dark, naming the light, Day, and the dark, Night. And there was evening and there was morning, the first day.

It was so even in the beginning? Light and darkness divided the realm of time on the first day? Then it is little wonder, if I also have changes in my circumstances from the sunshine of prosperity to the midnight of adversity. It will not always be the blaze of noon even in my spiritual life. I must expect at times to mourn the absence of my former joys, and seek my Beloved God in the night. Nor am I alone in this, for all the Lord's beloved ones have had to sing the mingled song of judgment and of mercy, of trial and deliverance, of mourning and of delight. It is one of the arrangements of Divine providence that day and night shall not cease either in the spiritual or natural relms until we reach the land of which it is written, "there is no night there." What our heavenly Father ordains is wise and good.

What then, is it best for my soul to do? Learn first to be content with this divine order, and be willing, with Job, to receive adversity from the hand of the Lord as well as good. Study to make the outgoings of the morning and the evening a time to worship. Praise the Lord for the sun of joy when it rises, and for the gloom of evening as it falls. There is beauty both in sunrise and sunset. Sing of it and glorify the Lord. Like the nightingale, pour out your notes at all hours. Believe that the night is as useful as the day for your good. The dews of grace fall heavily in the night of sorrow. The stars of promise shine forth gloriously amid the darkness of grief. Continue your service under all circumstances. If in the day your watchword is labour, at night exchange it for watch. Every hour has its duty, continue to do your calling, as the Lord's servant, until He shall suddenly appear in His glory. My soul, your evening of old age and death is drawing near. Dread it not, for it is part of the day and the Lord has said, "I will cover him all the day long."