MORNING MAIL
In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly.
Psalm 5:3 (NIV)
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 entrust my life.
Psalm 143:8 (NIV)
Who doesn’t love getting mail? We’re not talking a fleeting, here-today-gone-tomorrow email or text message; we’re talking about the rare and wonderful postmarked paper envelope that arrives in your mailbox, delivered by a person in uniform driving a United States Postal Service truck. You know, the uniquely-shaped piece with your name and address written by hand—the one you grab hold of first because it stands out from advertisements and bills as something more special.
Thinking on these two verses in the Psalms in the morning might bring a similar feeling. Picture this… You wake up, and before your feet hit the floor, you take a breath, hear the birds singing, and rest in the love the Lord has for you. He watched over you through the night, and His gift is this new day. He reminds you of His faithfulness and how He has lavished His love on you. In these quiet moments of first light, you ask Him—not for things, but for wisdom to use your day well, for a word or verse to carry with you…things like that. You wait expectantly, listening and watching for God’s answer throughout the day—trusting Him with every step and looking to Him for direction on which way to go, not only in big decisions, but in the little ones that may seem insignificant, but aren’t.
When the subtleness of your morning moments with God flows throughout your day, you’ll look back and see what He has brought you. Your special mail piece, post-stamped by heaven, might come as an opportunity, a reunion, renewed hope, a text, a call or an invitation to lunch. It might be a memory of a loved one who has passed. This is prayer. It’s beautiful and unlike any other form of communication. It’s uniquely designed by God and uniquely personal between you and Him.
APPLICATION: What are some small prayers that you can bring before the Lord in the mornings? Will you ask Him for a word or verse and wait expectantly?
PRAYER: Father, thank You for the gift of a new day and of prayer. Remind me of Your unfailing love in the mornings and help me to trust You throughout my days and with my life. Amen.
"… Our Father in heaven…" Matthew 6:9b (NLT)
• What do You want to say to me today as my Father?
"… may your name be kept holy." Matthew 6:9c (NLT)
• What do You want to reveal to me about Your power today?
"May your Kingdom come soon." Matthew 6:10a (NLT)
• Help me make Your priorities my priorities today.
"Give us today the food we need," Matthew 6:11 (NLT)
• Is there anything specific You want me to do with my time or the people I'm around today?
"and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us" Matthew 6:12 (NLT)
• Reveal to me anyone I need to forgive or ask for forgiveness.
"And don't let us yield to temptation…" Matthew 6:13a (NLT)
• Is there anywhere I'm vulnerable to temptation?