First and Last thought of the day.

“Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go,for to you I entrust my life.” ~Psalm 143:8.

If you read the whole chapter, and I think you should, you’ll find David, the psalmist- the song writer- the poet...pouring out his heart to God. It reads almost like a bedtime prayer. It includes groans for mercy, a description of his mistreatment at the hands of his enemies... he calls his spirit faint and his heart dismayed. And then he tells the Lord, that even in the face off all his emotions and circumstances- He remembers his history! He says "I meditate on all your works and consider what your hands have done." (vs.5)

By the time we get to verse 8 David is crying out, asking God "May my first thought in the morning be a reminder that your love never fails". Even though chaos abounds tonight, and probably won't resolve by morning- David centers himself here... Instead of filling his mind with the noise of past regrets, or the stress of his current circumstance, he asks for an anchor to God's unchanging and unfailing character. Instead of letting the clang and clamour of tomorrows troubles drown out God's promises- David is proclaiming his trust, asking for guidance and renewing his surrender. What a great way to fall asleep.... and wake up... and spend our entire day!

Let's take moment and remember, like David did, that our God never leaves us. He never forsakes us. He doesn't lead us astray. He has a perfect track record of caring for us. His love is unfailing! Let’s meditate on all of His works and consider what His hands have done! - Leave 2 minutes.

God, thank you for a pause in the day to breathe in Your peace.

Remind us of Your deep love as we go through our day, as we lay down at night and may it be our first thought the second we wake up tomorrow.

Help us trust You completely when life gets messy or confusing.

Point us in the right direction and show us the very next step to take.

Take our worries and anxieties as we place our lives firmly in your hands.

And let us carry the security we have in you with us when we serve others!

Ending Blessing:

Lord, grant us deep peace and steady strength in the middle of our busy workdays. Give us several 2 minute mini breaks all throughout the day to relax into your unfailing love! When we lay ourselves down to sleep tonight, quiet our minds as we recall your perfect track record. Show us our true worth as measured by your love and not by our hyper-vigilance, the size of your to-do list or our ability to white knuckle whatever life throws at us. Lord, grant us wisdom, guide our hands, and help us leave the rest behind. Give our spirits deep rest tonight, so we wake up refreshed for tomorrow’s tasks. And may our FIRST thought of the day be a reminder of Your unfailing love! -Amen