A GREAT Way to Start Any Day!

How do you usually wake up and start a typical day? Do you jump right up and bound off to the day's tasks? Do you awaken more slowly, enjoying a relaxing cup of coffee, tea or something to eat? At some point, it's a good bet you turn your thoughts to... "What do I need to do today?". Consider this wonderful Psalm, especially verses 8-12.

PSALM 143 A Psalm of David.
  1 Hear my prayer, O Lord;
       give ear to my pleas for mercy!
     In Your faithfulness answer me, in Your righteousness!
  2 Enter not into judgment with Your servant,
       for no one living is righteous before You.
  3 For the enemy has pursued my soul;
       he has crushed my life to the ground;
          he has made me sit in darkness like those long dead.
  4 Therefore my spirit faints within me;
       my heart within me is appalled.
  5 I remember the days of old;
       I meditate on all that you have done;
          I ponder the work of your hands.
  6 I stretch out my hands to You;
       my soul thirsts for You like a parched land.
  7 Answer me quickly, O Lord!
       My spirit fails!
          Hide not Your face from me, lest I be like those who go down to the pit.
  8 Let me hear in the morning of Your steadfast love, for in You I trust.
       Make me know the way I should go, for to You I lift up my soul.
  9 Deliver me from my enemies, O Lord!
       I have fled to You for refuge.
  10 Teach me to do Your will, for You are my God!
       Let Your good Spirit lead me on level ground!
  11 For Your name’s sake, O Lord, preserve my life!
       In Your righteousness, bring my soul out of trouble!
  12 And in Your steadfast love You will cut off my enemies,
       and You will destroy all the adversaries of my soul,
          for I am Your servant.

David gives us such a great example; what a blessed way to start each day! First, acknowledging our sins and unworthiness as we plead for God's mercy [vv 1-2]. Second, we can't hide or escape our troubles, be they sickness, oppressing enemies or any other harsh thing [ vv 3-7]. Then, we remember [vv 5, 8] all that God has done for His people and for us, which leads us to trust in Him, to guide all our ways. And lastly, we join David in praying for our day; the tasks to be done, and the presence of God with us!

I know that this or a similar "first-of-the-day" prayer is a great blessing to me, and I suspect such a prayer would be to you also!
Hear my prayer, O Lord; give ear to my pleas for mercy! In Your faithfulness answer me, in Your righteousness!

Peace in Christ to you this day, and every day!

Pastor Mark
Pilgrim Lutheran Church, LCMS Burton, Michigan
office: 810.744.1188
mobile: 248.881.7627

Soli Deo Gloria

"But you, O LORD, are a shield about me, my glory, and the lifter of my head." Psalm 3:3