4:30am and I am wide awake. The skies are still dark and the air is chilly. Quiet surrounds me as the neighborhood as yet to awaken. I wrap a shawl around my shoulders, hold a hot cup of coffee and relish these peaceful moments before the world intrudes into my solace.

In the book of Lamentations 3:22-23  we read: “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; His mercies never come to an end;they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” (ESV) 

God and I meet here in these early morning moments. As I sit in the quietness of the pre-dawn, He speaks to me through His Word and I respond with my prayers. His faithfulness and mercy are evident each  morning as the day begins. 

His mercies are new every morning

I have a “word-a-day” calendar at my desk and each morning I flip to a new page. Some of the words are familiar; some are not and those I take particular note of. One of those such words is “aubade.”  I explored its etymology and discovered it is a French word which loosely translated means “a song or a poem that greets the dawn.”

When I start my day by praising the Lord, I am offering Him my aubade.  My praises rise to Him as the morning sun inches up from beyond the horizon. These morning visits with God set the tone for my day. He reminds me He is walking beside me as I navigate whatever may come my way. I am renewed by Him through His mercy.

He rejoices over me with joyful songs

His words in Zephaniah 3:17 speak of His love for me: “For the Lord your God is living among you.He is a mighty savior.He will take delight in you with gladness.With his love, he will calm all your fears.He will rejoice over you with joyful songs.” (NLT) As I offer my prayers to Him, He responds with His own song of love for me.

I look forward to this time of day. I am not distracted by my to-do list or the commitments on my calendar. My focus is on Him and Him alone.

Sunlight is now filtering through the blinds and the birds are singing their morning song. Dawn has arrived as pink streaks fill the sky and my day begins. My to-do list beckons and into the day I go. In the words of folk singer Cat Stevens’s aubade, morning has broken. Click here to listen to his words.  

I encourage you to spend time with the Lord today.

Allow His mercy to renew your spirit.

Great is His faithfulness!

My prayer for this day:

Thank you, Lord for once again sharing your love.We are so very grateful for  your mercies that are new every day. Walk alongside us today and keep us mindful of your presence. 

“But as for me, your strength shall be my song of joy. At each and every sunrise, my lyrics of your love will fill the air! For you have been my glory-fortress, a stronghold in my day of distress.” Psalm 59:16 (The Passion Translation)

-Amen-