Before Dawn

Just before sunrise in Mt. View, Arkansas

I rise before sunrise and cry for help; I hope in your words. My eyes are awake before the watches of the night, that I may meditate on your promise." Psalm 119:147-48

This verse stood out to me in the Psalms as I spent time in my devotionals this morning. As you likely do, I have loved ones whom I am praying for daily--sick ones, young ones, old ones and sin-sick ones. And indeed I do rise before sunrise most mornings and cry for help.

But two proverbs also struck me as I read this morning:

The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord, but the prayer of the upright is acceptable to Him. Proverbs 15:8
and
The Lord is far from the wicked, but he hears the prayer of the righteous. Proverbs 15:29

I know that I am found righteous through my faith in the shed blood of the Lord Jesus Christ on the cross of Calvary . That is a promise for eternity. But I believe that these verses are applicable to daily living. Am I living like one who is declared worthy of heaven and all that it includes? I want my prayers for my loved ones to be heard, to be acceptable to my Heavenly Father. I fear that even though I rise before the sunrise every day, if my living is not upright and righteous then my prayers are to no avail.

I must apply Psalm 119:11 at all times.

"Your Word have I hid in my heart, that I might not sin against you."

I pray that as this speaks to me that it will speak to you as well today.

Thanks for reading my contemplations, and
Have an upright day!
Gloria