Psalm 5

Psalm 5
Give ear to my words, O LORD, consider my sighing. Listen to my cry for help, my King and my God, for to you I pray. In the morning, O LORD, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation. You are not a God who takes pleasure in evil; with you the wicked cannot dwell. The arrogant cannot stand in your presence; you hate all who do wrong. You destroy those who tell lies; bloodthirsty and deceitful men the LORD abhors.
But I, by your great mercy, will come into your house; in reverence will I bow down toward your holy temple. Lead me, O LORD, in your righteousness because of my enemies—make straight your way before me. Not a word from their mouth can be trusted; their heart is filled with destruction. Their throat is an open grave; with their tongue they speak deceit. Declare them guilty, O God! Let their intrigues be their downfall. Banish them for their many sins, for they have rebelled against you.
But let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may rejoice in you. For surely, O LORD, you bless the righteous; you surround them with your favor as with a shield.

I just love this verse: In the morning, O LORD, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation.

What a great way to start the day—praying to God and then waiting in expectation for the things He has to offer for the day! Usually I start the day grumbling because I’m up so early or because I can’t get anything “accomplished”, but what if I started the day in prayer and expectation?

What if I started with my eyes focused on what God is going to do today with me, through me, and for me?

But let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy. There is absolutely no reason for me to be anything but joyful! God is my refuge, and even if everything goes wrong today I have that assurance.

God, today I choose You. I choose joy. I wait in expectation for what You have in store for me today.