APRIL 4, 2014
Check
The Oil
Read: Psalm
5
My voice You shall hear in the morning, O Lord; in the morning I will
direct it to You, and I will look up. —Psalm
5:3
When I helped our
daughters learn to drive, I included a little instruction on basic auto
maintenance. We visited a local service station where they learned to check the
oil every time they put fuel in the car. Today, years later, they often remind
me of my six-word slogan, “Oil is cheap; engines are expensive.” Adding a quart
of oil is nothing compared to replacing an engine.
Maintenance is also
important in our spiritual lives. Taking time each day to read the Bible, pray,
and listen to God is a key element in avoiding a breakdown. In Psalm 5, David
wrote, “My voice You shall hear in the morning, O Lord; in the morning I will
direct it to You” (v.3). In the following verses he poured out his heart in
praise, thanksgiving, and requests to God.
Many people find it
essential to begin every day with the Lord. Before checking email, catching the
news, or eating breakfast, they find some quiet moments alone to read a portion
of God’s Word, praise Him for His greatness, thank Him for His love, and seek
His guidance. Others spend time reading and praying at different times of the
day.
It’s not magic—it’s
maintenance, as we ask the Lord each day to fill our hearts with His presence
on the road of life.
Give me a strong
desire, O Lord, to look into Your
Word each day. Help me
hide it in my heart so that
I might not stray from
Your truth. Feed me and
teach me about
Yourself and Your will for me.
The roots of stability
come from being grounded in God’s Word and prayer.
Insight
In this morning prayer
(vv.1-3), David called out to God to help him live a holy and worshipful life
(vv.7-8). He extolled God’s justice, holiness, and unfailing love (vv.4-7), and
he affirmed his unwavering trust in God’s presence and protection
(vv.4-8,11-12) even as he faced slander, danger, and evil.
Source:
Our Daily Bread 2012
