Several years ago, I made a conscious effort to combat morning anxiety. I could feel dread before I even got out of bed on many days. Scripture to the rescue!
I have memorized these verses, and I say them when I first wake up, when fear makes an entrance into my thoughts.
Psalms 90:14,17 Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days. May the favor of the Lord our God rest on us; establish the work of our hands for us-yes, establish the work of our hands.
Psalms 5:3 In the morning, Lord, You hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before You and wait expectantly.
Psalm 143:8 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.
Knowing these verses by heart is vital for me, because when faced with fear and doubt, I can quote them and receive tremendous peace and assurance the moment I need it. It has truly transformed my mornings.
Also, (this is a surprising benefit), I don’t feel the anxiety as often. It must have something to do with resisting the Devil and his fleeing. (James 4:7)
Notice that two of the verses have the term “unfailing love”. This is so prominent throughout the Psalms that I wanted to know exactly what it meant. I looked up the Hebrew word, and it is “hesed”. This is one of those words that is multifaceted and cannot be translated into a single English word. Other places in scripture, “hesed” is translated as steadfast love, loyal love, lovingkindness, mercy, or grace.
“Hesed” is a love that involves action, often expressed through acts of rescue or provision for someone. It usually takes place within an established covenant relationship, and implies going above and beyond what is required, acting with deep commitment and generosity. Now, that is unfailing love! That describes the love God has for His people.
Knowledge and remembrance of that kind of love in the morning brings me indescribable courage and strength to set out to accomplish the tasks the Lord has for me to accomplish that day. I pray each morning that He will “establish the work of my hands” that day, and “show me the way I should go” as I “lay my requests before Him “ and “wait expectantly”.
Weakness diminishes, and hope arises!
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