Daily Devotional: Security

Awaken the Dawn

Over the years, I have had to discipline myself to become a morning person. Instead of a groggy (and, at times, grumpy) “Good Lord, it’s morning!” I now most often wake early to a more cheerful, “Good morning, Lord!” Frequently, my first words are “Thank You, Lord, for a new day” or I quote Psalm 118:24 “This is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it.” Now that I am 70 I often just whisper a simple, “Thanks for letting me live through the night!”

I framed a small sign next to my chair where I read my Bible every morning. It quotes the timeless words Jesus said to His disciples in the Garden of Gethsemane on the night He was betrayed, arrested and deserted. “Why are you sleeping? Get up and pray...” (Luke 22:46).

I was also struck recently by the words of Psalm 143 as David anticipates hearing from the Lord every morning. Psalm 143:8, 10, 12 “Let me hear Your lovingkindness in the morning; for I trust in You; Teach me the way in which I should walk; for to You I lift up my soul . . . . Teach me to do Your will, for You are my God. Let your good Spirit lead me on level ground . . . . For I am Your servant.”

My once morning drudgery has become a morning habit of prayer, praise, quiet time in the Word and reporting for duty as His willing servant, asking His Spirit to lead me on “level ground.” It is, without a doubt, my favorite and, frankly, most important time of my day.

If you are not regularly doing so, will you join me in “awakening the dawn” (cf. Psalm 108:2). Try it for at least five days a week for just one month and write to me about your experience. I understand that you may find out mornings are just not your “hour of power.” If so, try Psalm 119:62 “At midnight I shall rise to give thanks to You...” My simple prayer is that we will all live out Psalm 113:3 “From the rising of the sun to its setting the name of the Lord is to be praised.”

I am looking forward to hearing from you.

New American Standard Bible (NASB)
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