Psalm 5

1  Give ear to my words, O Lord, consider my sighing.

2 Listen to my cry for help, my King and my God, for to you I pray. 3 In the morning, O Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation.

4 You are not a God who takes pleasure in evil; with you the wicked cannot dwell. 5 The arrogant cannot stand in your presence; you hate all who do wrong.  6 You destroy those who tell lies; bloodthirsty and deceitful men the Lord abhors.

7 But I, by your great mercy, will come into your house; in reverence will I bow down towards your holy temple. 8 Lead me, O Lord, in your righteousness because of my enemies — make straight your way before me.

9 Not a word from their mouth can be trusted; their heart is filled with destruction. Their throat is an open grave; with their tongue they speak deceit. 10 Declare them guilty, O God! Let their intrigues be their downfall. Banish them for their many sins, for they have rebelled against you.

11 But let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over them that those who love your name may rejoice in you.12 For surely, O Lord, you bless the righteous; you surround them with your favour as with a shield.

This is a new challenge to begin an old practice.

3. A pattern for each morning; begin each day in prayer.

This was once the norm for Christians.

There is sound Biblical warrant for this practice.

The Psalmist’s example should be sufficient encouragement but consider two other scriptures;                       2 Peter 1:19-21; 2 Timothy 3:16-17.

7.  A plan for every day; let the Lord lead you.                                  Begin every day with worship; seek daily guidance; go where directed.

11. A promise for all our days if we take refuge in the Lord. 

We’ll ever sing for joy;                                                                    God’s protection will enable those who love His name to rejoice in the darkest times; 

God’s favour will surround them to shield from every danger that might  threaten.                                                                                             

Why is spending time with the Lord in the morning so important?               It changes the way you see the day. 

It gives you something to look forward to all day, every day. 

It gives the Lord all day to answers your prayers and you all day to see the answers.