"As the Day Begins"

"As the Day Begins"

    For many believers, present company included, the initial thoughts and sensibilities of each new day are not immediately Godward.  It takes some time to realize the reality of our existence, namely, that "in Him we live and move and have our being" and "to live is Christ" (Acts 17:28; Philippians 1:21).  The conditions and circumstances of the present world seem far more with us, leading to focus on ourselves regarding how we feel, what we have to do today, and any number of notions that do not immediately anchor our hearts in the Life of our lives.

    "My voice shalt Thou hear in the morning, o Lord, in the morning will I direct my prayer unto Thee and will look up" (Psalm 5:3).

    The Psalmist helps us in this matter.  He clearly testifies to making a choice regarding a Godward focus and orientation as the day begins - in the morning will I direct my prayer unto Thee and will look up."  He does not mean this as a matter of programmed inevitability, but but as chosen response to the Lord's presence and truth.  Moreover, the response involves conviction rather than emotional or physical sensibility.  Again, few believers awaken with spiritual realities as the herald that greets them into the new day.  This raises the question, what most leads us to join the Psalmist to "look up" as the day begins?

    For me, the answer lies in the remembrance that regardless of how I feel when first waking up, I nevertheless possess the capacity to affect how the Lord feels.

    "The prayer of the upright is His delight… Sweet is thy voice" (Proverbs 15:8; Song of Solomon 2:14).

    God loves human hearts to the degree that we delight Him with prayers from a voice He deems as sweet to Him.  Let us apply this to our prayers and our voice.  Yours and mine.  We are so beloved by our Heavenly Father that we affect His emotional sensibilities.  For some believers, the first response to such truth may be, "Yeah, I know that because I'm sure I grieve Him far too often!"  Certainly we all do that sometimes.  However, nothing changes the current of love that flows in heart of God for His trusting children in Christ.  Humble and trusting expressions of devotion to Him please His heart.  "The Lord taketh pleasure in His people" (Psalm 149:4).  Wherever we may be in our spiritual journey, a sincere heart and a voice directed Heavenward will find a glad response in a gracious Father.  

    Such a clearly Biblical perspective most immerses me in the current of God's love as the day begins.  It reminds me that our feelings are not the issue.  We can affect His feelings.  Somehow, in the wonder of grace, mercy, and redemption in the Lord Jesus Christ, we possess the capacity to influence the emotional sensibilities of our infinite Creator and Redeemer.  

If my voice is sweet to You, Lord, as Your Word declares,

and if somehow You find delight in my prayers.

And if Your face You call me to seek, Lord, Your face I will seek.

And my voice You will hear.  Yes, my voice You will hear.

    Day by day, let us immerse ourselves in the current upon awakening, the current of being loved, and amazingly, the current wherein we may please the heart of God by our response.

"When Thou saidst, Seek ye My face; my heart said unto Thee, Thy face, LORD, will I seek."

(Psalm 27:8)

Weekly Memory Verse

   Wait on the Lord.  Be of good courage and He shall strengthen thine heart.  Wait, I say, on the Lord."

(Psalm 27:14)