Saying Good Morning to God

Scripture:
Praise the Lord!
O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
for his steadfast love endures forever.
Psalm 106:1

Observation: So very many of the psalms begin with almost these exact words. Perhaps there is some added modifier, but they begin with this ... Hallelujah, give thanks to the Lord for he is good, his love endures forever. The begin by declaring the wonderful Hebrew word for praise the Lord, thank him for his goodness, and profess his eternal love.

There are 150 psalms. At least 11 begin with some version of this opening. It is as if this is the natural and proper way to say 'good morning' to the Lord. And it is ... beginning with praise for the Lord and declaring that the source and cause of that praise is his love and goodness. Before anything else, from requesting help, to confessing sin, to admitting helplessness, to declaring joy, this is an example of how a conversation with the Lord should begin ... praising him for his love and goodness.

Application: When I do my devotions in the morning, my day with the Lord begins with whatever thought the devotions bring. However, my first words to him may be more about helping me, or showing me some truth, or calming my mind. I might get around to praising him and thanking him, and more rarely will I state the source of that thanks being his love.

Beginning the day - the conversation with God - with a sincere Hallelujah is not only appropriate, but should almost be uncontrollable. It expresses immediate praise and thanks for another day ahead, for joys and provision to come, and all bound in the eternal love of my heavenly father. It isn't just the appropriate declaration to the Lord, but a life-giving declaration for my own heart.

Prayer: Hallelujah!! Abba, my father in heaven, you are so good to me, and your great and boundless love is truly eternal. I praise you today from my heart and from my mouth. Again I say, Hallelujah! Amen.