Psalm 5:3, 8 In the morning, O LORD, you hear my voice;
in the morning I lay my requests before you
and wait in expectation.
Lead me, O LORD, in your righteousness
because of my enemies–
make straight your way before me.

Here we have the secret of David’s success. Simply put, he started each day with God. When he slipped up, which he indeed did very badly, I’m sure he had gotten away from the pattern expressed here. I like the turn of phrase in the NIV here, for once, but in verse 3 it differs from the Japanese somewhat, making me think it is a paraphrase at that point. The Japanese says, “In the morning I make preparation for you. I am on the lookout.” That would seem to indicate that David made a morning sacrifice, but in any case, his attention is on God. David had plenty of motivation for this, because he literally had plenty of people who wanted to see him dead. What we don’t realize is that we have no fewer enemies than David did, because the devil hates us and sends his evil spirits to torment us in any way he can get away with. We fall prey to such attacks when we get off of the path that God has prepared for us, which is why it’s so appropriate that David says, “Make straight your way before me.” We are so prone to say, “Make my way straight,” not realizing that is the wrong attitude to start with. If we start each day with focusing on God, being on the lookout for whatever He wants to say to us, however He wants to say it, with the desire and commitment to follow Him, then we see His plans unfold in our lives, in ways far better than we could have dreamed.

I was blessed to be raised by parents who believed strongly in daily personal morning devotions. I was aware that they did it, but I wasn’t included. Family devotions are very good, but they don’t take the place of personal devotions. However, I didn’t get into a regular habit of personal morning devotions until after I got out of the army – and my life to that point showed it! I knew that it was a good idea, and I remember trying to get started one time while I was in college, but that lasted only a few days. It wasn’t until God confronted me with my own sinfulness that I really got going. In other words, I didn’t seek God’s help until I really understood how much I needed it. God doesn’t want us to go from crisis to crisis, but if that’s what it takes to really turn our hearts to Him, He’ll allow it. This is a message I’ve tried to get through to people as their pastor, and it has saddened me how little it has penetrated. There are several in crisis situations right now. This might be the right time to present this truth in love yet again.

Father, there’s so much blessed truth in Your Word, and I want to communicate it all to Your people! Help me know when and how to say what, so that Your Word may penetrate as You intend, cutting off shackles and cutting out tumors, setting people free to be and do all that You intend, for Your glory. Thank You. Hallelujah!