Deuteronomy 19-20; Psalm 108

Read

Deuteronomy 19,20; Psalm 108

Verse chosen for meditation: 108:2 "Awake, O harp and lyre! I will awake the dawn!"

Reflect

This is a Psalm of David, but not an original one. For it combines two of his earlier Psalms, 57: 7-11 and 60: 5-12. However, the arrangement is completely different, therefore, it stands valid as a new song.

It shows that songs, or even praises and prayers, for that matter can be reused. It can also be a compilation of different parts from the same source. In this case, though the writer and composer could have been David, the real source is actually the Holy Spirit, which gave the utterance and inspiration.

All in all, this is a beautiful Psalm, which opens with praise and closes with prayer. However, what really drew me to the Psalm was not any of these. Instead, it was the simple line announced by the Psalmist in verse 2: 'I will awake the dawn.'

Relate

I am not a morning person. I much prefer the quietness of night. For that's when my brain functions best. Probably because that part of the day is also protected time. I find that to be the case as well in the mornings when I did not have to report for work. 

Same goes for sunrise and sunset. I feel relaxed, even at peace, at the sight of a glorious sunset, especially when the sky has turned a beauteous amber. So, when driving, I'll make sure to savour the rapturous moment from behind the wheel. A lovely sunrise is no less arresting a sight, but the magic works only when I'm on a holiday or retreat.

Don't get me wrong. I love going to work. I'm thankful for my job. I like the people that I've got to know. I've also told my juniors that I've no regrets in choosing my field of work. And that I'd like to work for as long as I can. 

Perhaps, I'm just not wired to greet the morn with glad abandon. Not when work has yet to be done for the day.

Having said that, it was the hint of daybreak that saved me from despair and led me to high worship some forty years ago. The memorised words of Lamentations 3: 22, 23 came to mind right at the crack of dawn.

After what had seemed like a long 'dark night of the soul', the approaching dawn brought a breakthrough in understanding of God's love, mercy and faithfulness. Just as promised, they were new that morning. And that morning would subsequently become Day One of my journey of faith.

Morning reminds me since of what God is doing. It reminds me of who God is. It also jump-starts my failing strength and flagging spirit. What’s more, it invites me to press on to know the Lord (Hosea 6: 3).

Hence, 'I will awake the dawn' means all of this and more. As it says to me to 'stop sleeping'; 'stop worrying'; 'stop feeling bad or tired'; 'stop moping'; and 'stop crying'. 

Nowadays, in the mornings when I need a spiritual fix, I'd look at the mirror and say to myself with glad abandon, 'Awake O soul, I'll awake the dawn!'

May the Lord bless the new approach.

Rest

Lord, may each new morn bring us assurance of your love, mercy and faithfulness. May each new morn also bring to you our acknowledgement of your love, mercy and faithfulness.

Naville Chia