PSALM 92:1-2 – It is good to give thanks to the LORD, to sing praises to your name, O Most High; to declare your steadfast love in the morning, and your faithfulness by night.

THEME OF THE DAY. EQUIPPED FOR THE DAY. Everybody has a morning routine. There are just certain things we do to start the day. Are any of those certain things we do of a spiritual nature? I hope so. It is important to start our day in the other world before we rush into this world. If we don’t, we will be hard-pressed to keep an eternal perspective throughout the challenges of living in this temporal place. The devil, world, and our flesh will have the upper hand in the spiritual battles coming our way. Neglect to meet the Lord in the morning and we neglect to be battle ready for the day. And neglect to prepare for war always leads to defeat in the war. So, how may we spiritually prepare for the day? There are multiple ways. Let’s consider two . . .

First, read and pray through the armor of God portion of scripture each morning. It is found in the last chapter of the Apostle Paul’s letter to the Ephesians – “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore, take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication” (Ephesians 6:10-18). Remember, pray through each piece. Here is an example of doing that, “Father, renew my mind with the helmet of salvation that I might walk throughout the day as a new creature in Christ because of salvation.” Make this a part of “breakfast” and we will go a long way in being spiritually equipped for the day.

A second spiritual routine to put into our lives that will equip us for the day is found in today’s scripture. Do we see it? What does the Psalmist do in the morning? He declares the steadfast love of the Lord. He starts his day in two spiritual directions. First, worship. His language is that of praise and when we praise, our focus is on the Lord, not ourselves and all we must do in the day ahead of us. Another thing emerges from his declaring the steadfast love of the Lord. It sets his mind on the fact that no matter what happens in the day, all things come from God’s love. Yes, there will be hard things, challenging things, and trying things, but all of them are to make us like the Lord Jesus. And if we start the day thinking on His love, we will be able to “see” His love in all things throughout the day.

Routines in the morning. We have them. May the Lord help us to develop a healthy spiritual routine of meeting Him before we meet the world and thus be spiritually equipped for what we will encounter.

PRAYER: “Lord, help me to start my day looking to You instead of all I must do.”

QUOTE: “God doesn’t give us a ‘spiritual zap’ of gladness. He shows by His Word and prayer how to get there.”