I have
been trying to start each day by reading a Psalm, or a portion of a Psalm.
Lately I have been enjoying this time more and more. It is preparing me for the
other Scripture I read (which right now is Jeremiah), and it helps guide my day
in prayer.
The Psalms really are our oldest prayer book. They
contain the praises, laments, joys, and concerns that we all experience. And
this time of starting here, and praying these words back to Jesus, has been
helpful to me.
Here is a verse from what I read today:
“In the morning, Lord, you hear
my voice, in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly”
(Psalm 5:3)
What a
way to start the day, right! It is morning now. I have taken the kids to
school, and I am having a cup of coffee. I have a test to take in an online
class to take today, and make some calls to people I need to visit today,
finish up the Bible study I am leading tonight, post in a Philosophy class
forum, put out signs for our fundraiser breakfast Saturday, get some prices on
new tires for my Mazda, etc, etc, etc.
I
could have started the day with any of those other things, and many times
unfortunately I do. It takes practice and focus to start here in the Psalms.
The other things are all screaming for my attention, and the Psalms lie here
quietly, waiting.
You hear my voice.
That
is a fact of our relationship with God that gives me goosebumps when I really
let that thought sink in. Today, right here as I start my day in prayer with
coffee, God hears my voice, knows my voice, and listens to my voice. I just
need to talk, letting my Father know what is on my mind, and asking Him what is
on His. Telling my Father all I have to do today, and asking Him what He wants
me to do instead.
I lay my requests.
Lay ‘em down. Here they are, Lord. Sometimes I
write them down, sometimes I speak them aloud, sometimes I can’t put words to
them, or mere words just can’t seem to express the desires of my heart so I
breathe them out. Just breathe a prayer, exhaling what I am laying down, and
inhaling God’s grace and love. This is what is burdening my heart and warping
my mind today. This is what I really feel like I need. What do you think?
I wait.
This
isn’t natural for any of us, I know. We don’t live in a culture that rewards
waiting. It is almost seen as a sign of weakness to have to wait, and our to-do
list is piling up every second we spend waiting. That’s really a shame. Not
that I love waiting, or anything like that. But I am growing to appreciate it a
little more. For one thing, I try to have a book with me most of the time. This
makes waiting easier, whether in line to pick up the kids or in the waiting
room waiting for an appointment. Waiting can also be a great time to talk to
God. Living in Telford I have found that there are days when I can spend quite
a bit of time waiting on trains. This used to create frustration in me, now I
am learning to take this time as a gift, a little respite with me and Jesus.
And being in the Psalms this morning helps with the waiting, too. The natural
and rhythmic flow of the words in the verses calms me before the craziness of
the day starts. Waiting doesn’t necessarily mean doing nothing.
But I am not just waiting, I am waiting “expectantly”.
That
added word creates a sense of anticipation. Something is going to happen….and
something IS gonna happen today. I have just lifted up my voice to the God of
all creation, who has heard me and listened to me. I have laid my requests for
Him and sought His guidance. Now I wait “expectantly” for Him to act. Whether
in word or deed, God is moving in all this today. The rest of my day can be
looking for what God is doing, wide-eyed wonder as He shows me His direction
and His love today.
“Spread your protection over
them, that those who love your name may rejoice in you” (Psalm 5:11)
Have a wonderful day, be blessed and rejoice in the
One who is protecting you.
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