“Cause me to hear Your lovingkindness in the morning, for in You do I trust. Cause me to know the way in which I should walk, for I lift up my soul to You.” (Psalm 143:8, NKJV)

I don’t know about you, but if there is one time when I need to hear the LORD’s lovingkindness, it is in the morning. I don’t always “feel righteous” when I wake up. Maybe I’ve had a rough night’s sleep with troubling thoughts. Maybe I’m overwhelmed with all I have to get done. But sitting at the LORD’s feet and sensing His lovingkindness is exactly what I need to start the day. It sets me on the right foot.

Now David had much more to be worried about than me. He had been persecuted and hunted by his enemies. His spirit fainted within him, and he was sorely distressed. His soul longed for the LORD, like one in a dry and thirsty land. If God hid his face, then David feared he would go down to the pit.

Have you ever felt such distress? Have you been overcome with anxieties or fears? Meditating on God’s promises brings assurance and encouragement. I love David’s prayer in verse 8 because he is throwing himself completely on the LORD. I recently heard that instead of discouragement we need dependency. God is enough. His grace is sufficient. He has all the provision we need to supply whatever we lack. If we are relying on ourselves, then we are in trouble, but if we are relying on God, then we have nothing to fear.

Finally, David understood that he needed God’s guidance. He prayed for the LORD to direct him in the way he should walk. I think sometimes we expect God to direct us in “spiritual” things like reading our Bible, prayer, or charitable works, but do we expect God to direct our steps in the many mundane matters of life? Do we practice dwelling in the presence of God 24/7? Do we think that He is capable and willing to guide us in every thought, word and deed?

Like David, it is good for us to lift up our soul to the LORD every morning. After all, He gave us our soul to begin with. Our purest expression of worship is to offer it back to Him. I am convinced that He is able to keep it for eternity. Are you?