God's Grace for Monday Morning

My barber, a man in his early 70’s and a cancer survivor, greeted me cheerfully last Monday morning as I walked into his empty shop on a cold, wintry morning.  “You’re joyous for a morning like this” I replied. He explained that since having cancer he is glad to be alive every day – cold, hot, winter, summer – glad to see the new sunrise. I love that attitude. Monday mornings have a terrible reputation, don’t they? For most, Monday is the 'back to work' day.  Let me suggest that instead of sighing, "O Lord, it's Monday," you say  "Praise God, it's Monday!" with a song.  As you look ahead to the work week, instead of dragging yourself toward Friday, try this:   live fully today!

God fed His people miraculously when they were making the journey from Egypt to the Promised Land. The way He chose to do it provides a worthwhile lesson to those of us who try to live more than a day at a time. While the Israelites were in the desert, He fed them with 'manna.'   Each morning they awakened to find the white, flakey stuff lying on the ground in their camp. "It was white like coriander seed and tasted like wafers made with honey." (Exodus 16:31, NIV)  Moses, under God’s direction, instructed them not to hoard it. "Just gather enough for the day and tomorrow God will provide it again."  Some of them did not listen and tried to store it.   The next day they found it had gone bad and stunk!  Here's a curious detail.  On the day before Sabbath, they could gather provisions for two days and the manna did not spoil!   The lesson?  Let God be Lord of this day and leave tomorrow to His care.

How many times do you get discouraged or weary just thinking about the work of another day before you have finished this day's work?  I do it, too! Jesus wisely counsels us to pray like this - "Give us today our daily bread." (Matthew 6:11, NIV) In that same talk, he also said, "Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don’t get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes." (Matthew 6:34, The Message)  Live today to the full. Accept God’s grace for Mondays!

Let’s make it God's week!  Instead of griping about things that are not to our liking, let’s pray our way through the day. Let’s practice thanksgiving, and quick to present our requests, with faith, to our loving Father. Seek His wisdom which He promises to give to those who ask.  Weep, if you need to, with Him; for He is a Friend that cares for you.   

When Friday arrives those who have walked with God through each day will be in a much better frame of mind. Yes, that is a guaranteed result.  He has manna for you, Christian, nourishing food for your soul, renewal for your heart and mind, hope that no one and nothing can take away.

Here is the word from the Word -
"This is the day the Lord has made.
We will rejoice and be glad in it.
Please, Lord, please save us.
Please, Lord, please give us success.

Bless the one who comes in the name of the Lord.
We bless you from the house of the Lord.
The Lord is God, shining upon us.
Bring forward the sacrifice and put it on the altar.
You are my God, and I will praise you!

You are my God, and I will exalt you!" (Psalm 118:24-28, NLT)

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Great is Thy faithfulness, O God my Father,

There is no shadow of turning with Thee;

Thou changest not,

Thy compassions they fail not;

As Thou hast been Thou forever wilt be.

Summer and winter and springtime and harvest,

Sun, moon and stars in their courses above;

Join with all nature in manifold witness

To Thy great faithfulness, mercy and love.

Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth,

Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide;

Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow,

Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside!

Great is Thy faithfulness!

Great is Thy faithfulness!

Morning by morning new mercies I see;

All I have needed Thy hand hath provided.

Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me.

Great Is Thy Faithfulness

Chisholm, Thomas O. / Runyan, William M.

© 1923. Renewed 1951 Hope Publishing Company

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