“But I will sing of your strength, in the morning I will sing of your love; for you are my fortress, my refuge in times of trouble” – Psalm 59:6 (NIV).
It’s a fact well established that the first thing that settles on every bird around the globe once it is up in the morning is chirp a song. Birds sing through the day but the morning chorus when they break into their songs is their finest hour. In fact, many people around the world use this outbreak of fresh songs from a chorus of birds as a signal to start a new day.
Researchers have found a number of reasons why birds are so possessed with this early morning activity. One reason is that light levels are too dim for birds to do much foraging in the morning, and so why not use this as a great opportunity to sing. Another reason is for the males to declare aloud that they control territory. But a greater reason is for every bird to give notice by praising its creator that it is well, much still alive. However harsh the past day might have been, with little food gathered, forget that, there is a new day with all its promises. So why not praise the creator for a new day!
Now, if birds are so aware of this supreme fact, which they look up to and dare not start a day without, how about us humans? When one takes into account all that could have happened through the day, and is up and bright, how about agreeing with King David, who once wrote, “Sing praises to the Lord, O you his saints, and give thanks to his holy name. For his anger is but for a moment, and his favor is for a lifetime. Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning” (Psalm 30:4-5).
Yes, joy comes in the morning, no matter how bad the past day was, for the new day breaks with its new promises. Joy comes in the morning for the new day is a gift from God where others do not have life but you are still here. Why not praise God as life cannot be taken for granted, anyway.
So, today, rise up and give thanks to the Almighty God with a song of praise. Of course you can do all that through the day. But like the birds of the earth, the morning hour, could be one way to start, with a song of praise and hope!
Prayer for today: Lord Father God of Abraham, maker of heaven and earth, as the new day breaks, I give thanks to you for the gift of life, and start with a song of praise, for you are good and your favor lasts for a lifetime, this I pray in Jesus’s name!
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06/05/2024 - 07/05/2024 All day“Do not confirm to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is- his good, pleasing and perfect will” (Romans 12:2)
Almost all cultivators are aware that if soils are used perpetually without rains but constantly under work they are deprived of all nutrients. So, though once productive, they lose all power to yield fresh crops as before. But so is our Christian life when we do not regularly feed our spirit life with the Word!
In our leading verse, the Apostle Paul is urging believers to “renew” their minds rather than make them stale, lest they end up losing all power to yield fruit. But how is this done? We renew our minds by constantly reading the Word of God, for there are always insights with God speaking to us afresh. Psalm 119:104-5 says, “I gain understanding from your precepts; therefore I hate every wrong path. Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.” The Apostle Peter reminds us, “Like newborn babies hungry for milk, you should want the pure teaching that feeds your spirit. With it you can grow and be saved.” It is a beautiful illustration for any who have seen a hungry baby sucking the teats of a mother.
Renewing our minds is also by reading about the lives of people of faith who have walked before us and their created works. The Christian faith started in the first century after Jesus was crucified and resurrected from the dead. Now over two millenniums it has produced giants of faith who have shared their walk with God through inspired teachings that are a treasure to dig into. By scouring the writings of the great saints before us, listening to their recorded sermons, songs and preaching, which these days can be found on virtual medial channels like Yu tube, reading their biographies, our faith is renewed.
And then we also renew our faith through fellowship. When the Apostle Paul urges us, “not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching” ( Hebrews 10:25), he is reminding us that our faith cannot grow in isolation. During the Covid pandemic lockdown one bitter issue was denying Believers opportunity to meet fellow followers of Christ to share testimonies showing the work of God in their lives.
So today, if your faith is on a low keel, or you want it to flower, one thing you can’t help doing without is “renewing” your mind. The blessings to unfold are endless.
Prayer for today:Lord Father God of Abraham, maker of heaven and earth, what a treasure we have of your rich Word to dig into always; books around us of faith to inspire us; and believers to share our faith- may we make use of these, this I pray in Jesus’ name.
