“Awake, O my soul, with the music of His splendor. Arise, my soul, and sing His praises! I will awaken the dawn with my worship, greeting the daybreak with my songs of light.” Psalm 108:2

Arise, My Soul

In the summer when the sun comes up, I’m usually still sleeping. But during the time of year with long nights, I’m often awake before the “crack” of dawn. Because of that, I’ve noticed something. Just as the very first rays of dawn are breaking, there are some little birds that come outside my bedroom window and sing. Their song is so sweet and lovely. Very short—but it’s like they are announcing the dawn. It’s a precious gift to me that they sing right by my bedroom.

I listened to them and imagined what they might be singing. “Here it comes! A new day. God is giving us another day in which to praise and worship Him. Hallelujah—here’s the sun!”

I would find myself waiting for their song each morning, and I joined them with my own song of thanking the Lord for a new day. It is a sweet way to start the day when I am weak and frail. I’m grateful to be alive and have a fresh day in front of me.

There may be some long, dark nights in our lives, but morning is coming—with joy! I have found it important to sing in worship in the “darkness” for it releases the dawn of victory. Our worship awakens the dawn. It brings His presence into the hard situation. Worship welcomes Him to come into our darkness, our hardship, and to bring His ministry release for our needs. He has been so faithful to meet me in the darkness of this unexpected journey.

Morning is significant in the Bible. Jesus rose in the morning. He conquered death. “On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb.  They found the stone rolled away” (Luke 24:1,2).

In the Word, the morning often brings freedom, victory, help, and compassion.

“Then shall your light break forth like the dawn, and your healing shall spring up speedily; your righteousness shall go before you; the glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard” (Isaiah 58:8).

“Lord, we’re grateful for the dawn of each new day! We’re grateful for the victories You bring in the morning. We’re grateful that Your light dispels the darkness. You are so faithful!”