In the Morning
“In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly.” -Psalm 5:3
I’ve always believed things look better in the morning. No matter how challenging or hopeless my situation feels at the end of the day, getting a good night's sleep and waking up to a new day always seems to freshen my perspective. I love the promise a new morning brings. Mornings are a clean slate, a fresh start, a new beginning. Mornings remind me that I can begin again, just me and God. My favorite quote from L.M Montgomery’s book Anne of Green Gables, is “Tomorrow is always fresh, with no mistakes in it yet.”
I’m a morning person, at least, I am since having children. It used to be because I had no choice, but now, over ten years into motherhood, mornings have become my best time of the day. I get a lot done in the mornings. I pack lunches, make breakfast, clean the kitchen, walk the dog and drive the kids to school all while still in my pajamas. But before I do any of that, I pour a cup of coffee and talk to Jesus. Just as Psalm 5:3 says, it’s there in the morning that He hears my voice.
There is, of course, no magical hour to talk to God. He hears us twenty-four hours a day whether we speak out loud to Him or not, but there’s something special about beginning our day at His feet and in His presence. Mornings are an opportunity to invite Him into all that lies before us in our day’s agenda, to seek His help in guiding us through our waking hours. When we do this, we can expect that just like the sun, God will rise to the occasion.
Study & Reflection: God’s word talks a lot about the hope of a new morning. Read through the following scriptures:
1. “Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” -Lamentations 3:22-23
2. “Sing the praise of the Lord, you his faithful people; praise his holy name. For his anger lasts only for a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime; weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning.” -Psalm 30:4-5
3. “But I will sing of your strength, in the morning I will sing of your love; for you are my fortress, my refuge in times of trouble. You are my strength, I sing praise to you; you, God, are my fortress, my God on whom I can rely.” -Psalm 59:16-17
4. “Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I entrust my life.” -Psalm 143:8
Prayer: Set your alarm a few minutes earlier this week and practice spending time with Jesus before you begin your day. Lay your requests before Him and wait expectantly for His reply. Let Him meet you with a fresh promise and a clean slate. Rejoice in a new day, with no mistakes in it.