Why Morning Devotions Matter

Isaiah 40:31 But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
Isaiah 40:31 (NIV)

I confess. I struggle with regular morning devotions. Yup, it’s true.

For a period of time I’ll be faithful, then life gets busy and I push quiet time aside. Oh, I read scripture every morning and often I read a devotion. But reading scripture over my morning tea in the same way I read the newspaper doesn’t impact my soul.

When I quiet my soul, turn my heart to God, listen for His still quiet voice, and let the Word speak to my life, the rest of my day is different. It’s just like Isaiah says. He fills me with His Spirit and renews my strength. I’m energized to take on the day. I feel His presence and power.

If I wait until bedtime to turn to God, review the day, and give thanks, I most likely got through the day under my own strength, in my own way, and followed my own agenda.

Paul prays for the Colossians:
As you learn more and more how God works, you will learn how to do your work. We pray that you’ll have the strength to stick it out over the long haul—not the grim strength of gritting your teeth but the glory-strength God gives. It is strength that endures the unendurable and spills over into joy, thanking the Father who makes us strong enough to take part in everything bright and beautiful that he has for us. (Col. 1:10-12 MSG)

Could Paul be saying that as we learn how God’s Spirit works through us, we’ll learn to ask for the Spirit’s glory-strength? Or do we prefer gritting our teeth?

How have you established a regular habit of morning devotions?
Do you notice a difference if prayer starts the day versus ending it?

Apparently God points me to this verse often. I contemplated it in 2013, 2014, and 2015. Click to read my previous thoughts.

#SeedsofScripture #dailyprayer #prayertime #Godsstrength #bookofIsaiah #dailydevotions

2 Comments

  1. J.D. Wininger on October 22, 2020 at 11:14 AM

    Amen Ms. Cathy! While I rise before the sun (most days), I have made it a habit to always spend some “God time” before I get the day started. Admittedly, some days I give God less attention than I need to, but He knows my heart and the busyness of my world in those rare moments. When those days happen–and they always will here on earth–I make a concerted effort to do my best to pray throughout the day and listen for God’s encouraging voice as He guides me through the turmoil of this world. Wonderful post my friend. God’s blessings.

    • CathyChung on October 22, 2020 at 5:52 PM

      J.D. I know you are dedicated to your early morning time with God. I wish I were as faithful. I’m doing a 40 days of Praying for Revival with Jana Kennedy Spicer and it is helping me renew the regular practice. Like I said, I read and pray every day. It’s the full attention, no multi-tasking, letting it impact my life kind of devotional time I squeeze to the side. Thanks for always being a consistent, engaged reader.

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