Lord, how comforting, especially in these troubled times, to know that You are on the throne.

What assurance to know that You are always looking upon the hearts of man, that You see our thoughts as well as our deeds; that it is You Lord, and not man, who judges, and will judge what is right.

You watch over Your children, not to bring fear or grief, but rather to save us from the fear and grief brought on by our own sin. What a peace I have in knowing that You, the God of the universe, understands me and loves me anyway.

Thank You Lord Jesus that You have destroyed the power of sin and took Your rightful authority over every work of evil that comes against us. You have given us the Holy Spirit to instruct us and to warn us against the danger of the world in which we live. You have armed us with Your word to prepare us for, and to defend us against the attacks of the evil one. Hallelujah!

Lord, it is my prayer that You will make me to walk every day in the light of truth and to do what is right.

“Songs in the Morning” Sandra Bivens Smith. Copyright ©️ 2023

1 Living below in this old sinful world,
Hardly a comfort can afford;
Striving alone to face temptation sore,
Where could I go but to the Lord?

Refrain:
Where could I go? Oh, where could I go
Seeking a refuge for my soul?
Needing a friend to save me in the end,
Where could I go but to the Lord?

2 Neighbors are kind, I love them ev’ry one,
We get along in sweet accord;
But when my soul needs manna from above,
Where could I go but to the Lord? [Refrain]

3 Life here is grand with friends I love so dear,
Comfort I get from God’s own word;
Yet when I face the chilling hand of death,
Where could I go but to the Lord? [Refrain]

J.B. Coats was born on April 6, 1901, in Summerland, Mississippi. He attended the schools of his area and was both a student and lover of music all his life…His formal education was continued with study at Mississippi Southern College and Louisiana State University. He also studied music with Julius Rishing, J.E. and Alvis O. Thomas and T.B. Mosley. When just a lad about fourteen, he began teaching music classes and conducting evangelistic singing. Mr. Coats was a teacher in public schools most of his life…He was the composer of many loved gospel songs with “Where Could I Go” haveing been printed and sung most widely.

The most wonderful thing for us all is that God looks upon our low estate. The greater His blessing, the more unworthy we feel of it. There is no reason why He has stooped to our lowliness and obscurity except that He would. He does great things for the weakest and merciful things for the unworthiest, for His Name’s sake—”Holy is His Name.” In other words, there is no accounting for the putting forth of God’s power and love, except His own glorious character.

Excerpt fromF. B. Meyer’s “Our Daily Walk” devotional.

Father, our ways are not Your ways and our thoughts are not Your thoughts.

Lord, make us humble before You. We can be so prideful and sure of ourselves; by the world’s wisdom, that’s a good thing. But it is not, it is evil, for out of pride we make ourselves to be our own gods.

We cry out for Your blessing all the while rejecting Your word, refusing to submit to your will. From eternity past You set Your plan in place, Your plan will stand forever. The will of man must bow to You for it is Your will, Your perfect, sovereign will, that will endure for all eternity.

Lord, Help Your people find our peace in this truth.

“Songs in the Morning” Sandra Bivens Smith. Copyright ©️ 2023

Lord of creation, maker of heaven and earth, how great and mighty are the works of Your hand.

I long to worship You in a way that is worthy of Your splendor, to know, deep within my soul Your majesty and Your holiness.

Is it even possible for sinful man to give to You the worship You require, the honor You deserve? Only Lord, in the power of Your Holy Spirit and only in the knowledge of how great You are and how lowly we are. Forgive me Jesus for my own self-righteousness.

When I come into Your presence, may I always do so in humble surrender. Teach me that true, acceptable worship can only be done in spirit and in truth, with fear and awe.

Forgive me Lord for the times I fail to acknowledge Your holiness.

“Songs in the Morning” Sandra Bivens Smith. Copyright ©️ 2023

Lord, these words make me smile.

Your word is the source of all existence. You speak and all things fall into perfect order.

Your word creates, Your breath animates. You are my God, giver of life. How blessed I am that You would put Your breath in me.

Father, if Your word can order the complexities of the universe, then surely You can arrange the simple life of such as me – what comfort I have in knowing that my times are in Your hands.

What peace to know that I am Yours – Your word says so.

“Songs in the Morning” Sandra Bivens Smith. Copyright ©️ 2023

Lord, I come into Your presence this morning with joy.

Joy for the gift of Your word; Your word is upright, faithful and true. Great joy for the gift of Your Son Jesus who came to earth for a while, and gave His own life so that all who believe in Him could live forever.

In Christ, You gave Yourself. You filled the earth with the gift of Your steadfast love asking only that we honor You by honoring Him.

Through Him You gave us the right to be called sons and daughters of The Most High. Because of Him, when we put our faith in Him, we are called holy and righteous.

Praise the Lord!

“Songs in the Morning” Sandra Bivens Smith. Copyright ©️ 2023.

Lord, I fall so short of honoring You.

Teach me to worship You in a way that is worthy of Your great majesty and goodness. Move in my heart and renew in me the joy of my salvation. Stir in me the the joy of knowing that I am Yours. Created by You. Chosen by You. Accepted by You. Loved by You though I am so unworthy, so undeserving.

Teach me the way of true worship. Give me a heart of grateful, humble joy for all You have done for one such as me.

Lord, put a new song in my heart.

“Songs in the Morning” Sandra Bivens Smith. Copyright ©️ 2023.

1 My Jesus, I love Thee, I know Thou art mine;
For Thee all the follies of sin I resign;
My gracious Redeemer, my Savior art Thou;
If ever I loved Thee, my Jesus, ’tis now.

2 I love Thee because Thou hast first loved me,
And purchased my pardon on Calvary’s tree;
I love Thee for wearing the thorns on Thy brow;
If ever I loved Thee, my Jesus, ’tis now.

3 I’ll love Thee in life, I will love Thee in death,
And praise Thee as long as Thou lendest me breath;
And say when the death dew lies cold on my brow,
If ever I loved Thee, my Jesus, ’tis now.

4 In mansions of glory and endless delight,
I’ll ever adore Thee in heaven so bright;
I’ll sing with the glittering crown on my brow,
If ever I loved Thee, my Jesus, ’tis now.

William Ralph Featherston(e) Canada 1846-1873. Born at Montreal, Quebec, Canada, he joined the Wesleyan Methodist Church there. He became a Christian at age 16 while in Toronto, and is thought to have written his famous hymn about the same time. He sent the poem to his aunt, Ms. E. Featherston Wilson and she gave it to a publisher. Adoniram. J Gordon, an evangelist, founder of Gordon College & Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, found the hymn in a 1870 London hymnal and was impressed with the words, but did not like the tune, so he composed the melody that has been used with the hymn ever since. Featherstone is thought to have married Julie R MacAlister in 1869 and that they had a son, John, in 1870. Featherstone died in Montreal at age 26.

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When we are in doubt or difficulty, when many voices urge this course or the other, when prudence utters one advice and faith another, then let us be still, hushing each intruder, calming ourselves in the sacred hush of God’s presence; let us study His Word in the attitude of devout attention; let us lift up our nature into the pure light of His face, eager only to know what God the Lord shall determine– and ere long a very distinct impression will be made, the unmistakable forth-telling of His secret counsel.

From “Streams in the Desert” devotional by Mrs. Charles E. Cowman