Why Mornings Are Important, from a Christian Perspective

We have all heard it said that starting your day off right is important. I have known it to be true that having a good morning routine sets your day off right. Developing habits such as waking up at the same time, going on a morning walk, reading your bible, making a good breakfast, or working out are great things. However, recently the Lord has revealed to me a deeper significance behind mornings than simply having a morning coffee. The bible is filled with scripture that reveals the glory that is found in mornings. Sounds crazy? Let's get into the different ways God speaks through daybreak. 

Often in my walk with the Lord, I have noticed how God will reveal to me a specific topic for a period of time. I can only describe it as His divine providence and way of moving through our hearts. For this topic specifically, I read a verse in Psalms about mornings, and suddenly the word was popping up everywhere in my reading. Not only in scripture, but on my social media and in my day to day life. 

The first scripture God reminded me of was Psalm 130:5-6 which reads “I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in his word I hope; my soul waits for the Lord more than watchmen wait for the morning, more than watchmen wait for the morning.” I had read and heard this verse plenty of times, but for the first time one particular word stuck out to me: morning. A watchman waiting for the morning signifies the end of their duty. Often a watchman was put in danger during his shift. Not only was the morning the end of labor for the watchmen, but also relief of safety. The Psalmist in Psalm 130 displays the hope the morning brings to the Christian. This stirred in me to beg the question, do I wait on the Lord in this way? This doesn’t necessarily mean we are in “a season of waiting” as we often hear. However, it means acknowledging our dependence on God and seeking his face. “The Lord is good to those who wait for him, to the soul who seeks him,” Lamentation 3:25 explains. 

It is clear that even the thought of the morning should bring hope to us as believers.

However, the question is why? What is so special about the rising of the sun? Ultimately, it should cause us to praise the Lord. We praise him for his unfailing faithfulness and mercy toward a people undeserving of such things. One of my favorite verses declares, “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness” (Lamentations 3:22-23). Each morning presents a new opportunity to experience God’s mercy, grace, and faithfulness. His constant goodness and promises toward us will never fail. He never runs out of faithfulness! “The Lord is merciful and gracious, abounding in steadfast love,” (Psalm 103:8). The morning is made to refresh our souls. 

Psalm 30:5b explains, “Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning.” Similarly, Psalm 90:14 reads, “Satisfy us in the morning with your steadfast love, that we may rejoice and be glad all our days.” These verses explain how mornings represent relief for the Christian soul. He will satisfy those who trust in his steadfast love.

The mornings should merely be a reminder of our hope throughout the day. His mercies never cease. Psalm 52:1a declares, “The steadfast love of the Lord endures all the day,” The Lord has promised us his love is never ceasing, and he has never broken a promise to us. "From the rising of its sun to its setting, the name of the Lord is to be praised" Psalm 113:3 explains. His faithfulness guides us all the day. Psalm 92:1-2 says, “It is good…to declare your steadfast love in the morning and your faithfulness by night.” It is good to worship and praise the Lord for his steadfast love and faithfulness! This doesn’t mean you must sing a worship song to start your day (however this can be a good practice), worship to God means grace enabled, heart engagement with the living God. 

So, how do we as believers practically practice this truth? Here are some things I have incorporated into my morning to get my mind and heart right. I am not always perfect in this, but I aim to do my best. 

1. Starting my day off by getting in the word

   
   

Some days are more difficult than others, but I make it a priority to read scripture before the business of the day begins. Sometimes I get to spend 45 minutes soaking in his word, and other days it is 5 minutes. But the ultimate goal is to get my heart right first thing in the morning. Acknowledging God’s glory immediately in the morning causes us to have a heart to worship and glorify him.

2. Waking up with the sun

   
   

I know this one might not be practical for everyone, however waking up early has truly been transformational for my life. Waking up and getting to see God’s beauty in creation sets my mind on the things above immediately. It's like when you go to the beach and are staring at this ocean. Something about seeing the huge body of water makes you feel so small. In the same way, waking up and looking around at the detailing of God’s design in creation shifts our perspective. From simply watching the way the Lord cares after the birds of the sky, to the tallest trees, he is written all over it. 

3. Intentionality 

   
   

Any goal that you have in life must include a level of intention and discipline. Make it an aim each morning to set your mind on the mercies we receive and the steadfast love we find our hope in. Something that helps me in doing this is writing my goals down on paper. This provides accountability and provides a sense of accomplishment (when completed), or conviction (when forgotten about). 

One thing I have learned is there is always more to learn. There is on doubt more to learn about God’s mercy and this is just a scratch on the surface. Nevertheless, I pray this blog can be a help to draw you closer to the Lord in acknowledging the mercy he shows us and the steadfast love he displays.