Day 6* Getting Off to a Great Start  

Key Verse to Read and Treasure

O God, you are my God. At dawn I search for you. My soul thirsts for you. My body longs for you in a dry, parched land where there is no water—Psalm 63:1 (God’s Word Translation)  

For Insight

Many states have a federally funded Great Starts Readiness Program which provides those at risk of educational failure a high-quality pre-school experience for positive development, promoting social, and emotional health and well-being. This program has been helpful to assure thousands of children everywhere get off to a great start not only academically, but overall.  

Regardless of age, our heavenly Father wants us all to get off to a great start in our day, our life, and for a brand new year. David spoke before the Lord while he was in the wilderness “O God, you are my God, at dawn I will seek you…” After  thinking about God during the watches of the night (every time he awoke from sleep) he was eager to meet God in his morning. He was determined not to do anything else until he spent time with God.   

When we spend time with God first thing in our day and first thing in a new year, we open our life, days and circumstances up to God’s direction, God’s wisdom, God’s healing touch and thoughts, God’s comfort and peace. Everything God is, comes to us first thing before the devil has a chance to put his two cents in and try to lead us astray.

Even if the early start of our day does not lend itself to an extended time in God’s presence—sometimes all we can do is say “Hello God! Thank you for watching over me last night, please be near me today”…or “I need you today, Lord.”—We can satisfy our soul’s need to reconnect with God after our time of sleep or rest us and thoughts will be centered on God as we go about our day, until the time we can spend more time with him.

As this year is still fresh, we can be like David and seek God, be filled with God, satisfied by God, and upheld by God’s right hand.

O God, you are our God, if the night or sleep is our desert and dry land, then let us be filled with you and satisfied by you. Cause our parched places to be saturated by your Spirit. Amen     

On a Scale of 1-10

How important do you think it is to spend time with God at the beginning of your day? If you have not been diligent in the past, what is one or two things you will do in this new year to start your day with God?