Be our strength every morning.
Isaiah 33:2
Daily strength. Mercies that are new every morning. God’s ever-present help in the time of need.
These statements are actual facts that both sustain and empower the child of God. And these truths are guaranteed for us each every day. Every morning we awaken, we can begin with the absolute certainty that God goes with us.
Consider how you feel when you first awaken in the morning. Some wake up rested and energized for the day. Others, not so much. But regardless of how you awaken, the utterance of Isaiah’s cry long ago becomes a reality for you and me at this moment:
Lord, be gracious to us; we long for you. Be our strength every morning, our salvation in time of distress. (Isaiah 33:2)
God is the sure presence that awakens us to begin the day. This expresses the grand promise of His eternal and watchful care given to each of us by His grace and mercy. It is no wonder that Jeremiah celebrated, “your mercies are new every morning” (Lamentations 3:23). With every single sunrise, you are not only met with a new day, you are met by God. But He not only meets you in the morning. He has been watching over you even as you have slept.
In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety. (Psalm 4:8)
When you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet. (Proverbs 3:24)
Each day represents an opportunity for you to witness the faithfulness of God. His promises are sure. He is your strength every morning. If He has you at the beginning of the day and as you sleep, then He most certainly watches over you throughout every moment of the day. This is a literal truth, and one that must not be minimized nor forgotten.
Sometimes, mornings can seem to bring any feeling but the celebration of God’s promises. But even amid the sluggishness and often dreariness of the morning hour, God is there waiting on you. His desire is that you will chose to spend time in His presence. The prophet Zephaniah wrote,
The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty One who will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness; He will quiet you by His love; He will exult over you with loud singing. (Zephaniah 3:17)
This is God’s way toward you and me. He is with us always. And with this great promise comes the reality that He takes joy in dwelling with us: He rejoices over us, He calms (quietens) us, and He exults over us with song. And, this becomes a reality for us every day – each and every morning we awaken.
The words of Author Pamela McQuade gently nudge us toward complete dependence upon the Lord, especially in the morning hour:
“On that tired morning when it’s hard to get moving, you can call on Jesus. When a life-changing problem looms ahead in your day, He cares about that too. He told you to give Him all your troubles, and He means just that. Whether it’s a son or daughter hard to handle, a difficulty on the job, a spiritual issue you cannot seem to resolve, He offers both a listening ear and answers. Do you long for help from God? Your desire is in the right place. Tomorrow may not solve every problem, but you can know that help is on the way.” (1)
This morning make time for God. For He is waiting on you. Trust Him. Lean on Him with your whole life. And cry out to Him in confidence, “be my strength this morning.” This prayer, my friend, He will most assuredly answer.
Blessings.
READ
Read Psalm 4:1-8 and rejoice in the peace and presence of God from morning to night, and the whole day through.
(1) Pamela McQuade, Daily Wisdom to Satisfy the Soul (Barbour Publishing, 2003), p. 69.
