Isaiah 33:2 O Lord, be gracious to us;
we long for you.
Be our strength every morning,
our salvation in time of distress.

This is certainly a heartfelt prayer, and an appropriate one for any believer when times are difficult. It is interesting how often the Bible speaks of prayer in the morning, or God’s blessings being renewed in the morning. Lamentations 3:22-23 was written in a time of particularly severe distress, and is perhaps the most famous reminder that God’s mercies are new every morning. There are all sorts of reasons for God arranging things so that the earth rotates as it does, but the regular appearance of morning, not just on a physical level but on an emotional and even spiritual level, is surely one of them. Since we are confined, for the moment at least, to the flow of time, it is helpful to us on multiple levels to have morning and evening on a regular schedule. Those living close to the poles, even for a relatively short time, often have psychological problems because of the lack of regular mornings. The question then becomes, what do we do with our mornings? Do we use them to renew our commitment to our Creator, and ask His guidance for the next step in our path? Those who have done so have certainly discovered the truth of the Lamentations passage, but far too many don’t let God into their thinking at all, and they are far the poorer for it.

I don’t remember when I became aware of my parents’ habit of regular morning devotions, but it was certainly early in my life. I didn’t establish a consistent habit myself until I was already a father, and I envy those who successfully start earlier. I do know that now, inability to have a morning devotion time is very distressing, whether it’s because of external circumstances or, especially, inner turmoil. In the latter case, even when I can’t follow my regular pattern I do cry out to God, and I find Him more than faithful. As a pastor I seek to encourage everyone in my care to get into such a habit, and it is a mystery to me that some seem to have great difficulty in doing so. It is no surprise that such people generally have a multitude of other problems, which they often cite as excuses for not reading the Bible and praying, but they don’t realize they’re putting the cart before the horse. If they were to focus on God first, then He would guide them out of their problems!

Father, thank You for knowing our weaknesses better than we do, and for loving us anyway. Help me be open fully to the flow of Your grace, Your Spirit, through me to all I encounter. May I receive what I need even as I pass it on, so that all of Your plans, for me and for those around me, may be fulfilled for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!