How can we "hear of Your loving devotion" each morning in our lives? The Morning Invitation in Psalm 143:8 “Let me hear Your loving devotion in the morning, for I have put my trust in You. Teach me the way I should walk, for to You I lift up my soul.” (Psalm 143:8) Why the Dawn Matters • God designed each new day as a fresh stage for displaying His covenant love (Lamentations 3:22-23). • Morning sets the first voice we will heed; Scripture urges that voice to be the Lord’s (Psalm 5:3; Proverbs 8:34). • Jesus modeled early-morning communion with the Father (Mark 1:35). Practical Ways to “Hear” His Loving Devotion Each Morning • Prepare the night before – Place an open Bible or reading plan where you will sit. – Decide on a consistent wake-up time to protect the habit. • Open the Word first – Read aloud; hearing reinforces truth (Romans 10:17). – Start with a psalm, a gospel paragraph, or the next passage in a plan. – Expect literal, trustworthy revelation (Matthew 4:4). • Pause to listen – Sit quietly for several minutes, letting the passage settle. – Note repeated words or promises that reveal His “loving devotion” (chesed). • Respond in conversational prayer – Thank Him for specific mercies in the text. – Surrender the day’s schedule, echoing “teach me the way I should walk.” • Journal brief takeaways – One sentence about His character. – One line of obedience for the day. • Sing or play a worship song – Music anchors truth emotionally and mentally (Colossians 3:16). • Observe creation – Step outside; let sunrise, birdsong, or cool air reinforce His faithfulness (Psalm 19:1-2). Scriptures That Echo the Theme • “In the morning, O LORD, You hear my voice; at daybreak I lay my plea before You and wait in expectation.” (Psalm 5:3) • “He awakens Me morning by morning, He awakens My ear to listen as one being instructed.” (Isaiah 50:4) • “I rise before dawn and cry for help; in Your word I have put my hope.” (Psalm 119:147) Clearing Common Barriers • Fatigue → go to bed earlier; limit screens. • Distractions → keep phone in another room until after devotions. • Dryness → alternate reading aloud, writing, and singing to engage mind and heart. Carrying the Morning Message Through the Day • Re-read your journal line at lunch. • Memorize one phrase from the morning passage; repeat during routine tasks. • Share the insight with a family member or friend to reinforce it. The Result Daily, deliberate hearing trains the heart to recognize and rely on God’s steadfast, literal, covenant love. Morning by morning, His Word becomes the first and clearest voice, steering every step that follows. |