If you’re like me, when you wake up each day, you have to remember pretty much… everything.
“Oh yeah. I’m conscious again. My name is… ‘Brant’? Yes, Brant. I am a bipedal hominid. I inhabit Earth.”
Stuff like that. And then I get some coffee, and walk our dog, Cozy. And while I’m walking her, I review a couple verses of the Bible in my head that have been big for me the last few years. They put everything in perspective for the day ahead, so I thought I’d share them with you.
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The Lord is my shepherd; I lack nothing.
That’s how world-famous Psalm 23 starts.
Since most people think of it the King James Version way (“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want”) we may not be used to reading it like this. I certainly wasn’t. But there it is, and for those of us unused to Elizabethan uses of “shall”, it hits much harder:
I lack nothing. (NIV)
I have everything I need. (NLT)
Do I believe that? I have to believe that.
If the Lord is my shepherd, I already have everything I need.
If He is your shepherd, so do you.
Everything you need for the day that faces you? You have it.
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And here’s another one (I do love the King James version of this. It’s pure poetry.)
Cause me to hear thy lovingkindness in the morning
For in thee do I trust
Cause me to know the way wherein I should walk
For I lift up my soul unto thee.
I’ve never been great at memorizing scripture, but I’m getting better at it, and I’ve got this one down. I even put it to a little tune in my head.
God’s “lovingkindness” here is His intense, fierce loyalty. I need to hear this again and again. He’s not leaving me, even when, if I were him, I certainly would say, “Okay, Brant, I’m out.”
So I say this one out loud. I’m asking God to help me hear, again, His loyalty, crystal-clear.
And if it shows me the way I should walk today?
Well, then I’m golden. I’m safe.
These verses remind me who I am, who He is, and that I’m not only on Earth, I’m on solid ground.
Brant Hansen
Morning Show Host, STAR 93.3
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Thanks for sharing! What a wonderful way to start your day!
This really is encouraging. Thank you.
Thank you so much for this, Brant! I’ve been struggling with my morning routine for a little while now, and this just hits home where my mind should be each and every day I awake with the breath of the Lord in my lungs. Thank you!
The word ‘AWESOME’ is so overused these days, But these recommendations are truly awesome. What wonderful reminders of whose we are and His loving faithfulness. In the overall scheme of things, does anything else really matter?
This really is encouraging. Thank you for sharing anew look at Psalms 23.
I often wake up pretty much the same way – With “everything” in my head and a bunch of dreaded lists and unhelpful emotions, like anxiety or depression, and overwhelm. Thank you for two helpful pegs to hang all those thoughts on.
I also try to remember to thank Him for the day and for waking me up,, and I’m trying to remember to commit the day to him. Proverbs 16:3. and 16:9. These are two good verses that give me confidence to trust Him about my plans for the day. (1st, they will succeed, 2nd, He will direct my steps and make them sure.)
My wife sent this to me today and it lifted me up. I always need a reminder who He is and what I mean to him. There was something that struck me reading Brant’s words. Specifically, “And if it shows me the way I should walk today? Well, then I’m golden. I’m safe.” I thought about this a while and then the Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe Came to mind where the youngest daughter (Lucy I think) asks if Aslan is Safe. The response was from Mr. Beaver is “…no, of course he is not safe but he is good! I don’t think the paths Christ put us on are not for our safety, but to bring for our good, to bring us closer to him and, quite frankly, make us dangerous to the enemy. I like to think I am dangerous to the enemy anyways…..
Rich, that’s a great movie! And also one of my favorite scenes. “…no, but He is good!” Yes in this world we are promised trouble (for our good and for His glory) and also thankful we are promised a Savior who will right every wrong in the end. Thanks for reminding me of that!
These verses are so helpful for me too. Thank you for the reminder, Brant! I usually end on “He makes me lay down beside green pastures” because well, He MAKES me basically “rest”. Beside green pastures no less! My busy mind and body can easily go a hundred miles an hour 24/7. Yes, I agree that verse is a great reset before the day’s even begun!
I use “…He lays me down beside green pastures” throughout my entire day. I often find myself picturing my Heavenly Father gently tucking a soft blanket around me, patting my back and saying “Shhh, get some rest daughter. I’ve got this” when I am feeling anxious, sad or helpless. He comforts me.
But usually more often I hear him firmly yet gently head me to a Time Out. Hahaha, yeah I need those too. I find that when I am overwhelmed, exasperated with others, or just not being the kind person who He’s calling me to be in the moment, I love that even then, it is beside green pastures! I find it also amazing that Science has shown that purposely looking at living greenery itself for less than a minute a day, like foliage, trees, plants and of course rolling hillsides – thank you God, has numerous physical and emotional benefits to our mind and body.
God IS so awesome! Thank you for encouraging me to keep my eyes fixed on Jesus every morning! I think I will also dwell on “I lack nothing.” Like you said Brant, it sounds so much clearer and poignant than “I shall not want” which I think I probably gloss over too often. Great reminder not to!