Morning Mercies
Each morning, when the sun pours over the horizon, you have an opportunity.
David—who held many titles throughout his lifetime: shepherd, warrior, giant-slayer, King of Israel, and a man after God’s own heart—said it like this when he was talking to God:
“Let me hear of your unfailing love each morning, for I am trusting you. Show me where to walk, for I give myself to you.”
Psalms 143:8 NLT
David recognized that each day was an opportunity …
To hear of God’s unfailing love. His mercies are new every morning (Lamentations 3:23) and His love endures forever (Psalm 118:2). But sometimes, we forget. Most times, we need to be reminded. Just as winter can’t be stopped from blooming into spring, we can’t stop the mercies of a brand new day.
To trust Him again. God is good, constant, faithful, merciful, honest, loving, unlimited, all-powerful, and the source of everything that exists. In fact, He can’t not be those things! No matter what we’re facing, we can know that He’s trustworthy. We can trust His character and we can trust His heart.
To watch, listen, and discern His leading. We can fix our eyes on the God who fixes His loving gaze onto us. Let us echo David’s words: “Show us where to walk…” Let us recognize His promptings, pay attention to His guidance, and listen for His “voice.”
To surrender our lives to Him. We can cling to our plans, dismiss His warnings, and fight for self-sufficiency, or, we can give ourselves to Him—fully. When we rely on ourselves, we will never be enough. But when we die to ourselves, we are choosing to live for Him.
No matter how dark the night, the sun rises again. And when that morning light pours over the horizon, you have a fresh opportunity to draw near to the One who loves you.
Bottomless Riches
Writing from prison to the believers in Philippi, the apostle Paul divulged that he’d learned the secret to being content—no matter the situation.
Because of the faithfulness of God and the generosity of the Philippians, Paul’s needs had been met—even while in jail. He went on to say:
“And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 4:19 NLT
What an incredible perspective from captivity, where Paul was placed for spreading the truth about Jesus.
God had given Paul peace, his friends had sent supplies, and Paul’s joy was unapologetically obvious—despite his imperfect circumstances.
Paul knew that the same God who was taking care of Him would also take care of his friends. He knew that, because Jesus had already made a way, they could access the storehouses of heaven. He knew that, because of God’s generous character, they were ...