Why is it important to start our day with praise, as in Psalm 108:2? Setting the Scene: Psalm 108:2 “Awake, O harp and lyre! I will awaken the dawn.” David determines to rouse musical instruments—and even the dawn itself—to celebrate God. The verse models purposeful, early, wholehearted praise. Why Launch the Day with Praise • Focuses our minds on truth, not emotions – Psalm 118:24: “This is the day the LORD has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.” – Praise anchors us to the unchanging character of God rather than the uncertainties of the day. • Aligns our hearts with God’s mercies that are “new every morning” (Lamentations 3:22-23). – Each dawn is fresh evidence of the Lord’s covenant faithfulness; praising Him acknowledges that gift. • Sets a pattern Jesus modeled – Mark 1:35: “Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up and went out to a solitary place, where He prayed.” – If the sinless Son prioritized early worship, we can trust it is essential for us. • Invites the Spirit’s filling for the hours ahead – Ephesians 5:18-20 links being filled with the Spirit to “speaking to one another with psalms… singing and making melody in your hearts to the Lord.” – Morning praise opens conduit for guidance, strength, and joy. • Guards against anxiety and complaint – Philippians 4:4-7 ties rejoicing in the Lord to freedom from anxious thoughts. – When gratitude is the first word of the day, grumbling finds little room. • Public testimony even in private moments – David’s decision to “awaken the dawn” shows praise intended to spill outward; early devotion quietly declares, “God comes first.” Practical Ways to “Awaken the Dawn” • Read or sing a psalm aloud—Psalm 103, 145, 150 work well. • Keep a gratitude journal beside the bed; list three new mercies each morning. • Play worship music while getting ready, echoing Psalm 108:2’s harp and lyre. • Memorize short verses (e.g., Psalm 63:3-4) and recite them before checking messages. • Pray through the Lord’s Prayer, pausing to praise at each phrase. Promised Results • Sustained joy (Psalm 16:11) • Steadier peace (Isaiah 26:3) • Strength for obedience (Nehemiah 8:10) • Readiness to “give thanks in all circumstances” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18) Starting the day with praise, as Psalm 108:2 illustrates, is more than a routine; it is a deliberate declaration that God reigns over every sunrise and, therefore, every circumstance the day will hold. |
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