Beginning the Day with the Lord 

Psalm 5.1-12

        Though we do not know the circumstance in which David prayed, we do know it was likely an intense time when he emphatically knew his need for full dependence on the Lord. He prayed: Give attention to the sound of my cry, my King and my God, for to you do I pray. O LORD, in the morning you hear my voice; in the morning I prepare a sacrifice for you and watch (Psalm 5.2-3). These intimate and personal words of prayer can become a model for us in our daily praying.

        First, he is clear to whom he is praying: my King and my God. When we lift our voice in prayer, may we remember that we are praying to the King of all His kingdom and the God of all creation. We are not praying to an unknown or weak god who has no care for his own. Rather we approach the Sovereign King who is concerned about all in His kingdom and who hears the prayers of His own. He is the God who made all things, sustains all things, and provides all His people need. Second, David prayed in the morning. Though it is good for us to begin and end each day before God’s Throne, it is in the morning we prepare for the day. As the believer rises early in the morning, the hour can be quiet, the busyness of the day’s activities not yet begun, and uninterrupted, intentional time can be secured for interaction with the Lord and His Word, and before the Throne of grace in prayer.

        Third, David offered sacrifice to the Lord. Placing wood on an altar and offering sacrifice, he desired to be in a right relationship with the Lord and prepared for whatever the day might bring, whether onslaughts from the enemy or gracious blessings from the King. Paul reminded us to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship (Romans 12.1). in coming before the Lord, we resign ourselves fully to Him, offering ourselves as a pleasing sacrifice to be used by Him, and remembering our focus  is not to be self, but rather on bringing glory to His Name.

Before the Eternal King and God – we have much to be thankful for –
Terry