Created for God’s Glory
Previously, I considered our purpose in life—the overarching reason for our existence. Why did God create us? Isaiah answers, “Bring my sons from afar and my daughters from the end of the earth, everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made” (Isa 43:6–7).
I explained that being created for God’s glory means two key things. First, it means we were created to reflect him. Genesis tells us, “God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him” (Ge 1:27).
We might say God imprinted some of his characteristics onto us. But beyond that, he made us to willfully reflect him by doing good. In other words, we were made to act like him. By imaging him, we glorify him.
Reconciliation and Fellowship
Second, being created for God’s glory means sharing in his glory. We were made to experience it.
We see a glimpse of this in Genesis. God gave Adam and Eve everything they needed and, more importantly, himself. They enjoyed unbroken fellowship with their Creator. Then came Genesis 3, when sin entered the world. After disobeying God, they heard him walking in the garden and hid from his presence (Ge 3:8).
If not for their sin, they could have run to him and enjoyed communion. Instead, sin ruined that opportunity.
From then on, Scripture shows humanity longing to be reconciled to God. Despite repeated failures, Christ ultimately restores that fellowship. As Paul writes, “While we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son … we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation” (Ro 5:10–11).
Reconciliation is the great benefit of salvation. Through Christ, we can fellowship with God again and one day dwell in his presence, as Adam and Eve did before the fall.
We often think glorifying God means offering him praise, and that’s true. He is worthy of worship. But it also means knowing, experiencing, and enjoying his glory.
I gave the analogy of tasting cheesecake and immediately urging someone nearby, “You’ve got to try this.” Before creation, God, in his infinite goodness, determined to share his glory. He lovingly created Adam to know and enjoy him.
This understanding shapes every aspect of life. We should always ask, “How do I reflect God in this?” and “How can I enjoy God through this?” To glorify God is to stand in awe, worship, obey, depend on, and delight in him.
The Significance of Morning
And what better place to begin than our morning routines? “Whatever you do, do all to the glory of God” (1Co 10:31). Mornings are particularly significant because they set the tone for the day ahead.
Before I offer practical guidance, let’s consider how the Bible frames mornings. What does it say about this part of our day? What worldview should we bring to our mornings?
Let’s look at Lamentations 3.
Lamentations was written by Jeremiah after Jerusalem’s destruction. He had warned God’s people of impending judgment if they persisted in sin, but they refused to listen. Eventually, Babylon invaded, leaving the city in ruins. As Jeremiah surveyed the devastation, he saw suffering everywhere. Hunger filled the streets, and the temple—the center of worship and God’s dwelling place among his people—was destroyed.
In this devastation, Jeremiah writes, “The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. ‘The LORD is my portion,’ says my soul, ‘therefore I will hope in him’” (Lam 3:22–24).
Here we see Jeremiah’s hope. Despite his grief, he trusts God. He knows God’s character is unchanging. Jeremiah feels devastated, but he knows God is faithful.
“The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases” (Lam 3:22). That phrase, “steadfast love,” is often linked to God’s covenant faithfulness. It’s a loyal, unchanging love. Even as everything around him crumbles, Jeremiah clings to the truth that God will keep his promises.
Renewed Mercies Every Morning
He continues, “[God’s] mercies never come to an end” (Lam 3:22). Jeremiah doesn’t view God’s mercy as something scarce or temporary. He believes it’s inexhaustible and renewed each day.
This is a profound truth for us. Jeremiah isn’t relying on yesterday’s mercies. He knows God provides new mercies every morning—mercies sufficient for each day.
This reminds me of the Israelites in Exodus 16. As they wandered in the wilderness, God provided manna, saying, “Behold, I am about to rain bread from heaven for you, and the people shall go out and gather a day’s portion every day” (Ex 16:4).
Each day, they had to trust God for their provision. Any attempt to hoard manna resulted in spoilage. This daily dependence on God taught them to trust his faithfulness anew every morning.
Similarly, Jeremiah declares, “His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning” (Lam 3:22–23). Each sunrise is a tangible reminder of God’s ongoing mercy and faithfulness.
The Bible often portrays morning as a new beginning. In Genesis, we read, “There was evening and there was morning, the first day” (Ge 1:5). Each new day marked another act of God’s intentional, orderly creation. This pattern continues even now: night gives way to day, rest leads to renewal, and God’s mercies arrive fresh every morning.
Morning represents renewal and hope throughout Scripture. We leave behind the darkness, often used as a metaphor for sin and sorrow, and step into the light. God designed mornings to remind us of his faithfulness and mercies, which are “new every morning” (Lam 3:23).
That’s why God’s people have historically sought him first thing in the morning. David writes, “O Lord, in the morning you hear my voice; in the morning I prepare a sacrifice for you and watch” (Ps 5:3). Elsewhere, he says, “I will sing of your strength; I will sing aloud of your steadfast love in the morning” (Ps 59:16).
Why the morning? There are several reasons. Morning marks the continuation of God’s mercies through the night. It sets the tone for the day, positioning us on solid footing. It’s an opportunity to offer our first fruits to God, acknowledging that our relationship with him is our highest priority.
Although the Bible doesn’t give us specific morning commands, the principles are clear. Seeking communion with God should be our priority, and mornings are a fitting time to pursue that priority.
Consider the context of Jeremiah’s words in Lamentations. His circumstances were dire. Yet, even in the midst of suffering, he focused on the steadfast love and faithfulness of God. No matter what happened the day before or what challenges lay ahead, he found hope in God’s unchanging promises.
This echoes the psalmist’s words: “Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God” (Ps 42:5–6). In times of hardship, we remind ourselves of God’s promises.
We don’t rely on how we feel. Feelings fluctuate, especially in the morning when we’re still groggy or overwhelmed by the day’s demands. Instead, we stand on what we know to be true: God is faithful. “We know that for those who love God all things work together for good” (Ro 8:28).
Jeremiah recites these truths to himself. “Great is your faithfulness,” he declares (Lam 3:23). His world may have been crumbling, but he trusted God’s character and promises to sustain him.
When shaping our morning routines, we need to remember our purpose: to glorify God by reflecting and enjoying him. Communion with God is key to this. We speak to God through prayer, and we hear from him through Scripture.
But let’s take a step back. A consistent morning routine begins the night before. Proper rest is crucial. Without enough sleep, it’s difficult to rise with the clarity and focus needed for meaningful communion with God.
Psalm 127 says, “It is in vain that you rise up early and go late to rest, eating the bread of anxious toil, for he gives to his beloved sleep” (Ps 127:2). God designed us to need rest. Neglecting sleep in favor of busyness is both unwise and unbiblical.
Even God rested on the seventh day, setting an example for us. Sleep is not a luxury but a means of stewarding the bodies God has given us. So, our morning routines must begin with intentionality at bedtime.
If we want our mornings to be spiritually fruitful, we must prepare the night before. Going to bed at a reasonable hour allows us to wake up refreshed and ready to honor God with our time. This is especially important for those of us with a set schedule. If we need to leave for work by a specific time, we may have to adjust our evenings to create more time for God in the morning.
Shaping a God-Honoring Morning Routine
Let’s be honest. Spiritual disciplines don’t happen by accident. Without intentional planning, we’re likely to neglect them. Proverbs 21:5 reminds us, “The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance, but everyone who is hasty comes only to poverty.” Planning helps us prioritize what matters most.
I’ve learned this lesson the hard way. I’ve made resolutions like, “I’ll read my Bible every morning,” but without a clear plan, it rarely happened. Now, I schedule everything, even small tasks like taking out the trash. Every Sunday at 8 p.m., my phone reminds me, and I never forget. I’ve built it into my routine.
The same principle applies to morning devotions. Whether you’re retired, working, or managing a household, planning is crucial. Determine your bedtime, set your alarm, and carve out time for prayer and Bible reading. For me, I’ve created a simple routine. My alarm goes off at 6 a.m. I take thirty minutes to get ready and make coffee. By 6:30, I’m in my chair with my Bible and devotional materials, spending the next thirty minutes in communion with God.
Of course, this is just my routine. Yours may look different. Maybe you prefer to pray before getting out of bed or take your Bible to a quiet spot in the park. The goal is not rigid conformity but cultivating intentionality in seeking God.
Flexibility is key. Life changes, and so will your routines. When I lived in North Carolina, I often went to a coffee shop with a quiet deck in the back. Now, with a fixed schedule, I’ve had to adjust. Whatever your situation, be ready to adapt as needed, keeping your focus on glorifying God.
The purpose of our morning routine is communion with God. That happens through both prayer and Scripture. Let’s start with prayer.
Prayer and Scripture: Foundations of Devotion
Why do we pray first thing in the morning?
We pray to thank God: “Give thanks in all circumstances” (1Th 5:18).
We pray in adoration: “Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name” (Ps 29:2).
We pray to draw near to God: “Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace” (Heb 4:16).
We pray to align our will with God’s: “Not my will, but yours, be done” (Lk 22:42).
We pray for strength against temptation: “Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation” (Mt 26:41).
We pray for wisdom: “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God … and it will be given him” (Jas 1:5).
We pray to express dependence on God’s sovereignty: “The heart of man plans his way, but the LORD establishes his steps” (Pr 16:9).
These prayers equip us for the day ahead. Morning is the ideal time to seek God’s guidance, strength, and wisdom for whatever lies before us.
John Bunyan once said, “You can do more than pray after you have prayed, but you cannot do more than pray until you have prayed. Pray often, for prayer is a shield to the soul, a sacrifice to God, and a scourge to Satan.” That first line has always stuck with me. Everything we do throughout the day is better when it begins with prayer.
We don’t drift into spiritual life; we do not drift into disciplined prayer. We do not grow in prayer unless we plan to pray. That means we must set aside time to do nothing but pray. What we actually do reflects our highest priorities. That means that we can proclaim our commitment to prayer until the cows come home, but unless we actually pray, our actions disown our words.
In short, intentional prayer must be a priority. If we follow the example of Jesus, David, and countless others in Scripture, we see that morning is an ideal time for focused prayer. While we should pray throughout the day, designated time for uninterrupted prayer in the morning is crucial.
Now let’s talk about hearing from God—reading the Bible.
If you’re short on time, remember it takes only fifteen minutes a day to read through the entire Bible in a year. That’s not much. Of course, no rule says you must read through the Bible in a year. Some prefer to read deeply, focusing on a single book for weeks at a time. Others follow plans that take them through the Bible in 90 days. Choose a method that works for you, but make sure you’re engaging with Scripture meaningfully.
I’ll offer one caution: avoid reading just a verse or two in passing. When I was a kid, I had a “Daily Bread” box filled with Bible verses printed on small cards. Each day, I’d pull out a card, read the verse, and move on. While it’s not inherently wrong, this approach often lacks depth. Instead, aim to go both wider and deeper in your reading.
Why do we read the Bible?
We read it because it’s “profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness” (2Ti 3:16).
We read it because it makes us “wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus” (2Ti 3:15).
We read it because it sanctifies us: “Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth” (Jn 17:17).
We read it because it equips us to resist temptation: “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God” (Mt 4:4).
We read it because it produces faith: “Faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ” (Ro 10:17).
We read it because it reveals God’s character and will: “The LORD passed before him and proclaimed, ‘The LORD, the LORD, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness’” (Ex 34:6).
We read it because it comforts and gives hope: “For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope” (Ro 15:4).
As Jeremiah declared, “The LORD is my portion, therefore I will hope in him” (Lam 3:24). The Word of God reminds us of these truths and equips us for every good work (2Ti 3:17). What better way to start the day?
Practical Tips for Consistency
Now that we’ve established the importance of prayer and Scripture reading, let’s look at some practical steps to shape your morning routine. These suggestions aren’t meant to be rigid rules but tools to help you cultivate consistency and intentionality.
First, set aside at least thirty minutes for devotional time. You can split this time between prayer and Bible reading. If necessary, adjust your bedtime to ensure you can rise early enough to prioritize this time. Mornings often feel rushed, so think ahead about what tasks you could complete the night before.
Second, don’t treat your morning devotions like a checklist item to cross off. While morning communion with God is crucial, it’s not the only time we should seek him. Deeper Bible study and prayer should continue throughout the day as opportunities arise.
Third, remember that spending time with God is a privilege, not a burden. Communion with him is a joy, not an obligation. Think of the price Christ paid to reconcile us to God. “We were reconciled to God by the death of his Son” (Ro 5:10).
Fourth, prepare the night before. Choose a specific place for your devotions. It could be a comfortable chair, a desk, or a quiet corner. Gather your materials—Bible, notebook, devotional book—and have them ready so you’re not scrambling in the morning.
Fifth, if you struggle with focus, consider listening to an audio Bible while following along. Hearing and seeing the text can help you stay engaged. Personally, I’ve found this especially helpful when my mind tends to wander.
Sixth, experiment with what works best for you. Some people enjoy using a multi-volume reader’s Bible that removes distractions like verse numbers and cross-references. Others prefer using different translations or trying various reading plans. Be flexible and willing to adjust your approach as needed.
Seventh, keep a pen and paper nearby. As you read, jot down thoughts, questions, or verses to revisit later. This allows you to engage with the text without feeling pressured to solve every question immediately.
Eighth, if distractions are a problem, try writing your prayers in a journal. Writing helps clarify your thoughts and keeps your mind from wandering. Journaling can become a meaningful aspect of your devotional practice.
Ninth, consider using a devotional book or commentary but don’t let them replace your Bible reading. These resources can enhance your understanding, but the priority should always be God’s Word.
Tenth, don’t neglect physical preparation. A good night’s sleep is essential. It’s hard to focus on spiritual matters when you’re exhausted. Steward your body well by giving it the rest it needs.
Eleventh, don’t let guilt over missed days derail you. If you miss a morning, pick up where you left off. God’s mercies are new every morning, and so are our opportunities to meet with him.
David writes, “O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water” (Ps 63:1). May this be the cry of our hearts each morning.
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