Proverbs 6:16, 18 (NIV)
… the Lord hates …
feet that are quick to rush into evil.
Don’t rush ahead blindly. Stop. Think.
Good morning, Lord. I want to be slow to step into evil, quick to do Your will. Show me the difference. Help me understand that good intentions aren’t enough and the end doesn’t justify the means. Slow me down, train me to consider the unintended consequences of my actions. Teach me to stop and think before I make my move. Grant me discernment.
Psalm 40:2 (ESV)
He drew me up from the pit of destruction, out of the miry bog, and set my feet upon a rock, making my steps secure.
Slimy pit or solid rock, which to choose?
The answer is obvious.
Good morning, Lord. When my feet are grimy from wallowing in the muck, You pick me up and clean me off. When I’m stuck in the mud, You push me out. When I’m a mighty mess, You wrap Your arms around my filthy rags. You aren’t afraid to get Your hands dirty for my sake, God. Thank You.
Psalm 1:1 (NIV)
Blessed is the one
who does not walk in step with the wicked.
I want to blessed, head to toe. My feet have to be headed in the right direction for that to happen.
Good morning, Lord. Guide my feet, keep them on the narrow road. I want to follow You, O God, and not the crowd. When evil calls and I’m tempted to step off the path of righteousness, pull me back. When the trail is rocky, light my way. When it’s scary, hold my hand. When I’m tired, give me rest. I want to walk in step with You, show me the way.
“Take my feet and let them be
swift and beautiful for Thee.”
Frances Havergal, 1874
From the hymn “Take My Life and Let It Be”
The words of this hymn are based on Scripture:
Isaiah 52:7 (NIV)
How beautiful on the mountains
are the feet of those who bring good news,
who proclaim peace,
who bring good tidings,
who proclaim salvation,
who say to Zion,
“Your God reigns!”
Good morning, Lord. I don’t like the way my feet look, but they’re beautiful in Your eyes. They no longer move quickly, but they can be quick to answer Your call. I can carry words of peace and good news wherever my feet take me. Teach me to step out in prayer and praise, knowing You are with me wherever I go.
Psalm 90:17 (ESV)
Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us, and establish the work of our hands upon us; yes, establish the work of our hands!
What sort of work has God established for my hands? Honest work, creative work, helpful work. Sometimes it is dirty or heavy work. Sometimes it is light or quick work. It’s always good work.
Good morning, Lord. Put my hands to work according to Your plan. Stop me short when I start to do the wrong work — hurting others, blocking progress, destroying what is right and good. Strengthen my hands when the work is hard. Grant me a gentle touch when the work involves others. Give me firm hands in moments of panic. May I do good and not harm all the days of my life (Proverbs 31:12).
A bit of working wisdom from God’s Word:
Proverbs 6:9-11 (CEV)
How long will you lie there doing nothing at all?
When are you going to get up and stop sleeping?
Sleep a little. Doze a little.
Fold your hands and twiddle your thumbs.
Suddenly, everything is gone,
as though it had been taken by an armed robber.
Good morning, Lord. It is so tempting to hit the alarm’s snooze button and grab a bit more sleep, to scroll and click a few more minutes, to binge-watch one more episode. Rest is good, yes, but too much is no good. Teach me to rest well, but also to get up and get going — for my good and Your glory.
The woman of noble character (Proverbs 31) has open hands:
Proverbs 31:20 (AMP)
She opens and extends her hand to the poor,
And she reaches out her filled hands to the needy.
Good morning, Lord. My hands are full, I have more than I need — thank You. May those full hands be in the habit of sharing, consistently reaching out to others. Teach me to give generously, without thinking “what’s in it for me?” Show me how to give graciously, as You do, for their well-being and not my own. I want to give as I have been given, in Jesus’ name.
Jesus told a story of a hoarder, a man who had more than he needed.
Luke 12:19-21 (ESV)
And I will say to my soul, “Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.” But God said to him, “Fool! This night your soul is required of you, and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?” So is the one who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God.
From God’s perspective, the hoarder is poor … and foolish.
Good morning, Lord. Forgive me for holding tightly to things I don’t need. I tell myself I may want them some future day, but someone else could use them this day. Teach me to give cheerfully, not reluctantly (2 Corinthians 9:7). You have given me more than I need, thank You. Open my eyes, open my heart, open my hands.
“Take my hands and let them move
at the impulse of thy love.”
Frances Havergal, 1874
From the hymn “Take My Life and Let It Be”
Give my hands to God? What an interesting idea.
Good morning, Lord. Here are my hands. I use them to write, to scrub, to plant, to dust, to help. I sometimes use them to hurt, destroy and lead others astray. If my hands are Your hands, Lord, they will do what is good. When I turn my hands over to the enemy, they do evil. Take my hands, O God, and put them to work for Your glory.
Nothing I tell God is news to him. But transparency on my part improves our relationship. It doesn’t change Him. It changes me. It opens the door to honest conversation.
Psalm 139:23-24 (NIV)
Search me, God, and know my heart;
test me and know my anxious thoughts.
See if there is any offensive way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting.
I learn to see myself through God’s eyes. I start to know myself better.
Good morning, Lord. Let me see myself as You see me — the good, the sin, the worries, the gratitude. Show me how far I’ve come and what to do next. Walk and talk with me every step of the way. I want to see the world as You see it — with justice, grace and mercy. I want to know You better, know myself better, know the world better.
