A Verse for the Morning
How do you feel when you wake up in the morning? Do you bounce out of bed upbeat and energized for the day? Or do you hit snooze and hope for the rapture? Do you feel stress, anxiety, or perhaps physical pain because of what you're dealing with? Or do you just get up, grab a cup of coffee, and dutifully go about your day trying not to think too hard about how you actually feel? I assume most of you would say you feel all of these things at different times. It just depends on what's going on in your life. Right? Everyday does not feel like a holiday (nor should it) and hopefully everyday does not feel heavy or gloomy (though I know there are seasons like that). Everyday we live with the tension of life's joys and struggles.
During my sabbatical, I thought a lot about this tension as I continued to mourn the losses in my family, the responsibilities of taking care of my mom after her stroke, and my own problems and struggles with life. And yet, I also experienced the joys of walking with the Lord, celebrations, connecting with old friends, and family time with Renae and the kids. These are some of the ups and downs of life we all must balance. A devotional I read during that time referenced Psalm 143:8 which says:
"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 lift up my soul."
This verse seemed to capture some of my thoughts and feelings about life. That everyday I would sense God's unfailing love and guidance no matter what I was going through or even how I was feeling that day. That as I turned to Him and put my trust in Him, He would be faithful to love and guide me even though sometimes I'm not sure how I'm feeling or what I'm supposed to do about certain situations. I guess that's what trust is. Not knowing but continuing to faithfully come to the Lord with our feelings, our struggles, and our confusion, seeking His love and guidance. I think Hebrews 11:6 is similar. It says, "And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him."
Now in the morning, Psalm 143:8 is one of the first things on my mind. It's a verse I've committed to memory. It is my prayer when I wake up and step into the day. In some ways, it helps to center me on God's love and my trust in Him. I invite you to memorize this verse and make it your prayer as well. So that no matter how you're feeling or what you may be going through, your prayer would be: "Lord, 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 lift up my soul." Then may the Lord minister to us as we go about our days. Amen!
Pastor Darren
