Morning Pleasures

S

(Psalm 5:3) O Lord, in the morning You hear my voice; in the morning I prepare a sacrifice for You and watch.

O

The Old Testament ritual of sacrificing animals' blood must have become a horribly mechanical, mindless, heartless routine--too easily skipping over the shock that another creature's blood was innocently taken instead of the guilty person's. David deliberately remembered this extravagant gift of grace.

A

That ancient sacrifice system completed its purpose by helping me appreciate the great expense of the cross, where God shed His own innocent blood for me. One sacrifice, however, remains. It was essential at creation and will always be appropriate: By the mercies of God, I [with all God's people] present myself as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God (see Romans 12:1).

P

Lord, by faith again this morning, I greet You--not mechanically or mindlessly, but eagerly. I trust that Your blood has indeed cleansed me from my sins. In response, I give You my body for Your unrestricted use in Your Kingdom's purposes. Your will is my delight and privilege. The first fruits of my waking breath and my choice of words are my gifts for Your pleasure.