Looking Vertically
Psalm 5:3, "My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O LORD; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up."
We can't look in the wrong direction, but we can see the wrong things. The Psalmist shares an important pattern of discipline as he implores the God of Heaven to hear his prayer. He establishes a priority concerning his prayer life, "My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O LORD; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up."
Establishing the right horizontal focus (relationships with others) is dependent upon having a disciplined vertical focus (looking up to God). God is everywhere present, and yet He is still above all. He is above all in power, in wisdom, in authority, in majesty, in holiness, in love, in faithfulness, in mercy, in grace, etc... Isaiah 66:1, "Thus saith the LORD, The heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool ..."
Are you living in such a way as to make prayer a disciplined priority in your life in the morning? Are you seeking fellowship with the Father, and with the Holy Spirit who dwells in you?
It is my prayer that all who read this devotion will determine to make private prayer a part of their daily routine. Look vertically and enjoy your time with God, then look horizontally to those you can encourage through word and deed.
May God hear our voice in the morning, as we look up to Him.
Your Friend and HIS,
Pastor Abbott
QUESTIONS TO PONDER
1. How would you describe your prayer relationship to the Heavenly Father?
2. How are your relationships with others?
3. Meditate upon the last time God answered one of your prayers.