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Psalm 143:8-10 - Waking and Walking With God.

Psalm 143:8-10 (NIV) Let the morning bring 
me word of your unfailing love, for I have put 
my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, 
for to you I lift up my soul. 9 Rescue me from 
my enemies, O Lord, for I hide myself in you. 
10 Teach me to do your will, for you are my 
God; may your good Spirit lead me on level 
ground.  

Psalm 143:8-10 (NLT) Let me hear of your 
unfailing love each morning, for I am trusting you. 
Show me where to walk, for I give myself to you. 
9 Rescue me from my enemies, Lord; I run to 
you to hide me. 10 Teach me to do your will, for 
you are my God. May your gracious Spirit lead me 
forward on a firm footing.  

INTRODUCTION

David's prayer was to be taught to do God's 
will, not his own. A prayer for guidance is 
self-centered if it doesn't recognize God's power to 
redirect our lives. Asking God to restructure our 
priorities awakens our minds and stirs our will. [Life 
Application SB] 

COMMENTARY PEARL

   What do you think about when you wake up? 
Are your thoughts instantly focused on the day 
ahead, or are they centered on the Lord? Although 
most of us have busy lives that consume much of 
our time and attention, the most important and 
time-saving part of each day is that spent in quiet 
solitude with God. 
   Yet many believers feel so rushed that 
they don't think there's time for the Lord. They 
immediately jump onto the treadmill of life and then 
wonder why they're so frustrated, confused, and 
dissatisfied. Even if their desire is to follow God, they 
don't know where He's going since they haven't 
stopped to get directions for the day. There's also 
a disconnect because they've ignored their 
relationship with Him. NO ONE CAN HAVE INTIMACY WITH 
CHRIST WITHOUT DAILY COMMUNICATION. 
   Perhaps the problem is our own human 
logic. We think spending time reading the Bible and 
praying each morning will result in having less time 
and lower productivity. However, when we seek 
Christ's direction and wisdom for the day and invite 
Him to control our lives, He'll accomplish more 
through us than we can do by ourselves. He'll give 
us wisdom for good decisions, increase our 
strength and energy, and free us from time-wasting 
anxiety. 
   Are you too busy for the Lord? If so, 
you're denying yourself the blessing of an intimate 
relationship with Christ. When you make time for Him, 
He'll fill you with peace and joy, guide your 
decisions, grant you wisdom, empower you to obey, make 
you more productive, and comfort you with His 
love. [In Touch Daily Devotional by Charles 
Stanley at www.intouch.org] 

COMMENTARY

   Our ways are not God's ways, and God 
doesn't keep that fact a secret. His prophet Isaiah 
spoke on His behalf: " 'For My thoughts are not 
your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,' says 
the LORD" (55:8). 
   God's ways aren't our ways, so He must 
teach us to do His will. And the fact that He has 
given us His Word - and His Spirit - reveals His 
desire to teach us. The issue becomes whether we 
want to be His students. 
   Do you want to learn? Do you want to 
become skilled at living in ways that run counter 
to your nature? Do you want to do things that 
the world at large finds laughable? Do you want 
to live according to values that your society 
regards as old-fashioned? Do you want to look 
foolish in the eyes of your neighbors and 
co-workers, perhaps even your family and your friends? 
   The choice is yours. It's a choice that 
affects how you walk through your day. It's a choice 
that affects eternity. The Lord wants to teach 
you His ways. The question is, do you want to 
learn? [Being Still With God Every Day by Henry 
Blackaby re vs. 10] 

CLOSING THOUGHT

   I have a lot to do today. It isn't the 
busiest day I've ever had, but I've crammed a lot 
into the next few hours. I've got meetings, work, 
family obligations, and errands to run. It isn't 
going to be easy to get it all done. In fact, it 
will be impossible. Something is going to have to 
wait.  
   My "to do" list for today can be broken 
down into three parts. There are the things that 
need to get done, the things that should get 
done, and the things that would be nice to get 
done. For example, my kids want me to go play 
laser tag during lunch. Spending time with my kids 
is a high priority, so that floats to the top 
of the list. Spending time with God in prayer 
and the Word - also a high priority. Getting the 
backup external hard drive for my computer falls 
into the "would be nice to get done" category.  
   There will always be things that need to 
be done and people who would like our time. 
Establishing priorities can take some of the stress out 
of making the right choices. High priority 
should be those things that last (usually, that 
involves relationships). We can't put the low 
priority items off forever, but we can plug them in 
around the things that really matter.  
   My Father, you are the most important 
Person in my life and the highest priority for my 
day. Thank you for giving meaning to everything I 
do. In Jesus' name, Amen. [Celebrate Recovery 
Daily Devotional by John & Johnny Baker re vs. 
10] 

PRACTICAL APPLICATION

   Put your trust in Me so you can discover 
My unfailing Love shining on in the midst of 
your troubles. When you are struggling with 
discouragement, you need to assert your trust in Me over and 
over again. It is vital to remember who I am: 
Creator and Sustainer of the universe, as well as 
your Savior, Lord, and Friend. You can count on 
Me because My Love for you is unfailing. It 
never runs out or grows dim, and it is not 
dependent on how well you're performing. Just as I am 
the same yesterday, today, and forever, so is My 
perfect Love. 
   Lift up your soul to Me - waiting in My 
Presence with no pretense and no demands. As you 
dedicate time to waiting and worshiping, I gradually 
transform you and open up the way before you. I will 
not necessarily reveal future things to you, but 
I will show you the way through this day - 
step by step. So trust Me wholeheartedly, 
beloved, for I am taking care of you wonderfully 
well! (Psa. 143:8; Heb. 1:1, 2; 13:8) [Jesus 
Always by Sarah Young] 

LINKS FOR FURTHER STUDY 

Psalm 143:8 - Waking Up With God.

http://www.abible.com/devotions/2014/20141218-2007.html 

Proverbs 8:17 - Seeking And Finding God.

http://www.abible.com/devotions/2014/20140729-1847.html 

1 John 2:6 - Abiding or Walking with God.

http://www.abible.com/devotions/2021/20210902-0928.html 

YOUR COMMENTS

If anyone has a paraphrase, commentary or 
testimony on this passage of Scripture, either 
personal or otherwise, I would be interested in 
hearing from you.  Thanks in advance and let's keep 
uplifting Jesus that all might be drawn to Him. Fred 
Gibbs  

LINKS WORTH CHECKING OUT

https://abible.com/links/