Awake, harp and lyre! I will awaken the dawn. – Psalm 108:2

Today's Scripture Reading (October 1, 2022): Psalm 108

In 1994, Stuart Garrard, better known to his fans as Stu G and currently a member of One Sonic Society, wrote a song he called "Awaken the Dawn." The lyrics of the chorus state:

            You are the Lord, - the Savior of all,

            God of creation we praise You.

            We sing the songs - that awaken the dawn

            God of creation we praise you.

The words of the song promise that the singer will give the choicest part of the day to God, the early morning. The worshipper arises early, prepared to play and sing praises to God as the sun rises over the horizon. The idea is that the first thing we do as we wake is to worship our God. Of course, praising God in this way requires that we are awake. Sleepy worshippers never provide the best worship.

It is a lesson of which I am well aware. Early every Sunday morning, not long after dawn, our worship team gathers to bring our praise to God. We awaken our instruments, admittedly, there are no harps or lyres, but they are replaced with a keyboard, guitars, and drums. And while the team starts at a particular time, for us, it is 8:30 except on special emphasis Sundays in which we meet earlier, often not all of the members are present. They are still trying to awaken themselves before they can awaken their instruments. But eventually, we gather as a team, ready to awaken and lift our praise to God.

I have often admitted that I am not a morning person. But the first thing I do as I greet the day is to work on this blog, although that happens much later than dawn. It is my way of ensuring that I get the day started on the right track, thinking about the God I serve. But I am also thankful for those in my life who are morning people willing to greet the dawn with their praise. However, I believe there is a need for all of us, both those who awaken the dawn and those who carry their praise much later into the night.

We need to hear the intent of this Psalm and set the example for the day by awakening your praise whenever you rise. Be willing to carry that praise through the events of the day, with God never far from your mind and his song standing close to your lips. And as you close your eyes, allow your mind to praise God, preparing you once more for the coming dawn.

Tomorrow's Scripture Reading: 2 Samuel 24