“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).
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 another 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 rise up and sing: “The Lord is my strength and my defence; he has become my salvation. He is my God, and I will praise him, my father's God, and I will exalt him” ( Exodus 15:2).
Prayer today: Lord Father God of Abraham, maker of heaven and earth, as a new day dawns, I rise and give thanks to you for the gift of life, and start out with a song of praise, for you are good and your favor lasts for a lifetime, this I pray in Jesus’ name!
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08/05/2024 - 09/05/2024 All day“Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!” (2 Corinthians 9:15)
The culture of sharing gifts runs through scriptures and is at the heart of the Gospel. Upon realizing that Jesus Christ had been born the three wise main did not just go empty handed. “On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh” (Mathew 2:11).
When Jacob decided to return to his country, he went with gifts to soften the heart of his twin brother Esau, whom he had left maddened at him for various wrongs. “Then he selected these gifts from his possessions to present to his brother, Esau: 200 female goats, 20 male goats, 200 ewes, 20 rams, 30 female camels with their young, 40 cows, 10 bulls, 20 female donkeys, and 10 male donkeys” ( Genesis 32: 13-15). The reason was, Jacob thought, “I will try to appease him by sending gifts ahead of me. When I see him in person, perhaps he will be friendly to me.” So the gifts were sent on ahead, while Jacob himself spent that night in the camp” (vv 2—21).
Esau was already a wealthy man and had no need of the gifts presented. But Jacob pleaded with him. “Please take this gift I have brought you, for God has been very gracious to me. I have more than enough.” And because Jacob insisted, Esau finally accepted the gift” (Genesis 33: 11). This symbol of good touched Esau, brightened his heart, burying the old acrimonious relation.
Taking after these two instances believers should be in the habit of sharing gifts. We should visit each other not empty handed but like the wise men with gifts, not so much that those we are gifting are lacking, but as a way of blessing them. Proverbs 11:25-26, says, “Whoever brings blessing will be enriched, and one who waters will himself be watered.”
Most importantly we bless each other with gifts because we have received the most important gift there is in life, the gift of salvation. “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16).
Prayer for today: Lord Father God of Abraham, maker of heaven and earth, today I thank you for the most precious gift of all that you gave me of eternal life through faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, and so I pray that I may not hesitate to share this gift and bless those with as much whom you enable me to meet, this I pray in Jesus’ name.
