12/06/2019
We wake up in the morning to good days, and bad days; some are by their very nature joyous, but others will be filled with turmoil and angst. Although each day in our life will consist of worldly good and bad occurrences our faith will determine how we approach, and deal with them. Do you call on the Lord the moment you open your eyes, and lean on Him as you step from your bed?
“This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.”
Psalms 118:24 ESV
I have certain habits that help me as I begin my day, and I feel safe to say they will help you too. As my feet swing towards the floor in the morning I begin to pray, and every morning it begins with the same words...
“Thank you Father for this day and your many blessings.”
Then I think of at least one good thing that occurred the day before, and thank him specifically for that. I challenge you to do this for a week, and see if it doesn’t make you more optimistic as you step into your daily life.
“This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.”
Psalms 118:24 ESV
My second habit is to sing as I shower in the morning, but not just any song; I sing this verse... Psalm 118:24... the first verse of today’s devotional. I have repeated it here because it is so important that we should rejoice in our lives. This short verse reminds us that although Satan might be in the world, and his minions standing ready to torment us, our Father made this world, and nothing can keep us from being glad in it because He is here with us.
“I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world."”
John 16:33 ESV
Jesus tells us that we should be at peace, but do we believe that? I know we say words to one another like
“The peace of Christ be with you”,
but are we simply reciting that phrase, or do we take it to heart? If someone says this to you do you feel their sincerity, or are you, without thinking, saying back to them
“and to you.”
As we shake their hand or hug them briefly is our heart open, I mean truly open, to that blessing of peace? Jesus said that we should take heart, but how can we do that if our heart is not circumcised... if it is sealed shut.
“pray without ceasing,”
1 Thessalonians 5:17 ESV
The third thing that is habitual to me occurs on the way from my home to my workplace. I pray in my car, as I sit in the parking lot, and as I walk towards the building I work in. We quote from memory the scripture that tells us to pray without ceasing, but do you recall the verse that preceded it? Let’s take a glance at it...
“Rejoice always,”
1 Thessalonians 5:16 ESV
This verse reiterated the fact that we are to rejoice ALWAYS! Sure, we might pray tearfully at times, but our faith in God, and His answer to prayer, should always give us cause to rejoice, just as the intercessory prayers of Jesus as he prays on our behalf should give us His peace.
“give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”
1 Thessalonians 5:18 ESV
Then, we should never complete a prayer without giving thanks to God for every circumstance we find ourselves in. Some of the worst days of my life physically, have been the best days of my life spiritually. Even our worst suffering comes with amazing lessons of faith, and they are worthy of our thanks. So go back a few paragraphs to where I said...
“Then I think of at least one good thing that occurred the day before, and thank him specifically for that.“
Sometimes that good thing I thank God for specifically in the morning is a spiritual thing that came to me as the result of great suffering. So if you tell me that you have nothing good to pray about, I will tell you to think again.
“Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.”
James 1:2-4 ESV
So these are my three morning habits of faith that make the bad things that are occurring in my life become good days for me through my faith. None of them are difficult, even the song I sing in the shower is a children’s song, but they do lead us into a good day. So perform these three simple steps, and know that God desires that you rejoice, have peace, and that your day be good.
Thank God for His blessings, sing praises to Him, and pray.
Prayer:
Father, thank you for this day, and your many blessings, and thank you for all those who are praying with me today, and each day. I thank you Lord for your Son Jesus and the peace He brings me every day. Hear me Father as I sing a joyous song to you, and know that I have unwavering faith that you will make my day good. Help me Holy Father as I open my eyes to thanksgiving, sing a song of joy and rejoicing, and pray to you throughout my day. Take the twisted roads of hardship and suffering that I will walk, and make them smooth, and straight. Teach me to face every day with my hand in yours, and your breath under my wings. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you my God who makes my days, praised be your name for all the blessings you provide, and great is your Son who has conquered the world. All glory is yours Father, and every good thing is of you and suitable for thanksgiving... leading me to trust in you all my days, and worship you forevermore.
“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.”
James 1:17 ESV
Rich Forbes