Awaken the Dawn

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TODAY’S SPECIAL: Deuteronomy 13,14; Psalm 57

TO CHEW ON: “Awake my glory!
Awake lute and harp!
I will awaken the dawn.” Psalm 57:8


An introductory line in my Bible identifies the occasion for the writing of this psalm: “A Michtam of David when he fled from Saul into the cave.”

I imagine David beginning to write this psalm in the evening. He’s bone-weary, discouraged, feeling surrounded and overwhelmed by the forces coming against him, and very scared:

“My soul is among lions;
I lie among the sons of men
Who are set on fire,
Whose teeth are spears and arrows,
And their tongue a  sharp sword…
They have prepared a net for my feet…
They have dug a pit before me” - Psalm 57: 4,6.

Then, at verse 7 the feeling changes:

“My heart is steadfast O God…
I will sing and give praise.”

Here’s my guess about why the change: I imagine David resuming the writing of the psalm in the morning, after a night of sleep. He’s made it through the night. The sun will soon rise on another day and he shifts his perspective from his troubles to God.

Since he’s hiding from Saul in a cave, you’d expect he’d be extra careful that no noises echoed through the cave’s chambers and to the outside. But no. He wants his praise to be so loud it will “awaken the dawn.”

There are several lessons for me—for us—in this passage.

1. It’s a good idea to sleep on our problems.
For example, it’s a good plan to  leave making difficult decisions to when we’re rested and have gained perspective by giving the situation a little time and distance and we’re in better physical shape.

2. Praise changes the atmosphere.
From Psalm 57:7 on, when David shifts his focus from his problems to God, there’s not another hint of gloom. It’s all about God’s greatness, attributes and abilities.

3. It’s a good thing to express praise aloud.
David’s praise is loud. It’s expressed with musical instruments and voice, into the open air and to people (Psalm 57:8, 9). I know I tend to praise silently, mentally. I need to do more praising aloud, with my voice, maybe even visit the piano or get out the keyboard.


PRAYER: Dear Father, it’s easy to let problems overwhelm me. Help me to make a habit of meeting with You each morning and to begin the day with intentional focus on and praise to You. Amen.

PSALM TO PRAY: Psalm 57

The Bible Project VIDEO: LEV: Heart (Shema word study series)



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Unless otherwise noted all Scripture quotations are taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Thanks for reading! This year we are using The Bible Project "Timeless Reading Plan" to read through the Bible in 2018. If you'd like to read along in your own Bible, you can download a pdf of the reading plan HERE.

Church disputes

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TODAY’S SPECIAL: 2 Timothy 2:14-26

TO CHEW ON: “But avoid foolish and ignorant dispute, knowing that they generate strife.” 2 Timothy 2:23


At a recent seniors’ retreat in our church the topic of music style came up. During a Q&A session our lead pastor listened to complaints (drums too loud, too much repetition of lyrics, rock band style, use of lighting) and patiently explained the leadership's rationale for the style of music, that he heard us, but that it wouldn’t be changing any time soon.

I came away from the meeting feeling good, and bad. Good because people (we) had had our say and the matter had come out into the open. But bad because I sensed the discontent could easily fester on.

Whenever disunity pops up in our local assembly I am disturbed in my spirit… especially when I feel strongly about one side. However, I can’t help but think of the Israelites and the trouble they got themselves into when they grumbled against Moses during their wilderness years. Being part of a dispute is serious business.

Paul here describes these disputes as “foolish and ignorant.”

“Foolish” I suppose, because in the scheme of things, the matters we’re disputing are often trivial. (I put the style of church music into that category.)

“Ignorant” because there are often things the complainers don’t realize about the issue; angles they haven’t considered.

So what are we to do about things in our churches that bother us? Some things that come to mind:

1. Pray about them.

2. Talk to the people who have the authority to do something about the issue (probably the pastor if it’s in a church setting), explaining concerns and listening to explanations.

3. Stop yourself from dwelling on your discontent. Instead, praise God for leaders who are sensitive to God's direction. Relinquish the matter to God and trust Him to work it out in His way.

4. Stop discussing the issue with others, listening to their complaints, and so feeding the fire and generating strife.

5. Continue to pray—for wisdom for leadership, a good attitude in yourself, and unity in the body.


PRAYER: Dear Father, help me to avoid disputes and not be a strife generator. Amen.


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Unless otherwise noted all Scripture quotations are taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.