Hi, this is Joni Eareckson Tada with a hymn written for the morning.
Sweet hour of prayer, sweet hour of prayer
that calls me from a world of care,
And bids me at my Father’s throne
make all my wants and wishes known,
In seasons of distress and grief,
my soul has often found relief,
And oft escaped the tempter’s snare,
by they return, sweet hour of prayer
Well, friend, welcome to the last day of February. Yes, we are about to leave behind what, for me, is always, the coldest month of the year. And, oh, do I feel it in the early mornings when my girlfriends come to get me up, which is why, after I am up in my wheelchair and dressed, I love to find a warm spot to ease into the ice cold morning.
You know what I mean. When the day dawns and the temperatures are low, it's natural to look for a warm spot. For you, it might be a hot shower or flicking on the space heater. Or perhaps lighting the fire in the living room where you have devotions. Or grab your Bible and snuggle on the couch under an afghan.
Once I'm dressed and sitting up, once I've finished breakfast and am ready to head out the door, my friends and I always warm up this way: We head for the bedroom bay window seat which looks out over my backyard. With pillows on the seat, it's one warm spot which invites us all to sit and draw close. And in that cozy corner, we always take time to open up our hymn book to harmonize together over some beautiful old hymn. Or as of late, we’ve been reading from the devotional book Streams in the Desert. Whatever the hymn or the devotional reading, and whatever the weather, this is our warm spot. A quiet moment, admiring God's creation outside, listening to His Word and His guidance for the day, and even giving Him pleasure each morning by singing a hymn -- it's something that warms not only the body, but the soul.
Psalm 59, verse 16 says, “I will sing of your strength, in the morning I will sing of your love; for you are my fortress, my refuge in times of trouble.” Did you hear that? God wants us to sing of His strength in the morning. He wants us to sing of His love. Now, most of us may not be able to carve out a “sweet hour of prayer” when the day dawns, but the Bible makes clear that there’s something unique, something special about going to God in the morning, especially in times of trouble.
So friend, don't be in such a hurry. Give God a quiet corner of your morning, and be sure not to rush past those warm, quiet places where you meet with the Lord Jesus. The peace and perspective that comes from those few sweet moments will color the rest of your day and make it a whole lot warmer on this last day of February! Oh, and one more thing: Don’t forget to stop by my radio page to ask for your free copy of my booklet, “Gaining a Hopeful Spirit.” Just go to joniandfriends.org and ask for “Gaining a Hopeful Spirit.” Because hope and help will make any morning bright!
© Joni and Friends, 2013
Compliments of Joni and Friends
PO Box 3333 Agoura Hills, CA 91376