I choose something from the Bible to read first thing in the morning with my coffee to set my day as a one or two-verse pep talk from the Bible. For my daily morning devotion, I want to find inspirational words, short and sweet. I am not seeking to become a Biblical scholar, to find verses to win an argument, to prove that God is on my side, or to predict future events. This is not to say that I don’t spend quality time in the Bible, I do that too, but that has a different approach than my morning inspirational moments.
Where to start: Pocketbook Bibles can be found everywhere. They’ve been published by the millions by The Gideon Society, and others. Nearly all of these have the book of Psalms, Proverbs, the gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, John), and the rest of the New Testament.
A good place to start reading daily is in the Book of Proverbs, since it has 31 chapters, each of which can be read for every one of the days of every month of the year. For those months with less than 31 days, you can read verses in the previous chapters that you skipped over if they were too much to read that day.
A good time to start reading the book of Psalms is at the beginning of a new year with the first Psalm. As there are 150 Psalms, I will read through them all twice in a year, one chapter a day, one day at a time. Except for Psalm 119 which is 179 verses long, that in many versions verses are grouped into paragraphs that can be easily read at one time. I skip over that Psalm and read those paragraphs one each day after I’ve finished the rest of the book of Psalms half way through the year and at the end of the year.
Something I look for in Psalms 119 is that the Word of God is referred to in ever single verse using synonyms such as “law, covenant, statutes, precepts, commandments, judgments, and more. Looking for those synonyms reminds me of those word search quizzes, sort of fun. The Psalms are frequently referenced in the gospels and the New Testament. Jesus quotes Psalm 22 on the cross. Very often when the topic of the book of Psalms comes up in a conversation someone will say that they have a favorite one, often printed and posted where they work or memorized. I’ve got several of those myself.
The book of Psalms are prayer songs, as are a lot of hymns. The hymns I find the most inspirational are those that are prayers to God and in praise of God. I find that the ones that are emotional and about feelings are annoying, obnoxious in spite of their sincerity. I grew up in the rock n’ roll age and in a church that sang the old-time hymns and I love both. Many of the popular songs that I like are played on “classic’ or “oldies” radio stations. Most of these tunes date from the golden era of Rock music from the 50’s to the 90’s. The lyrics from one of the earliest of those was: “Roll Over Beethoven and tell Tchaikovsky the news”. The message was that Rock was king and that old classical music was now in the graveyard.
Lyrics from another tune from that era proclaimed: “I don’t care what people say, Rock n’ Roll is here to stay”. Despite their enthusiasm for their genre, Elvis has left the stage and a 500-year old song “A Mighty Fortress is Our God” written by Martin Luther has not yet rolled over in its grave. That hymn might be an appropriate tune to play for the demise of rock n’ roll, since it is most often played at funerals.
Nonetheless, I do love the early rock n’ roll music that reflects its roots in spirituals and folk music. Many of the early performers started out as gospel singers before they migrated to play “the devils’ music”. The same with jazz. I’ve read that jazz first came about in the streets of New Orleans in funeral processions playing hymns that evolved into joyful celebrations, which I’m guessing was in anticipation of a glorious hereafter. My very first introduction to jazz was a Dixieland jazz band rendition of “Just a Closer Walk with Thee”. Because of that tune, the words were forever embedded in my mind and heart.
There is a very close relationship with words of praise for God almighty and songs of worship of God. It is these songs that often rescue us from the depths of despair as well as expressing our rejoicing in God’s greatness and goodness. Unlike the Bible which was written by inspiration of God, hymns were written by people inspired by God’s Word, and they are just that, not the Word of God. But as they were so inspired, we likewise can enjoy and take part of their inspiration by listening to and enjoying their inspirational work.
Throughout Christian musical history, hymns have been written and performed in little congregations everywhere. I’ve become a collector of several old-time hymnals and find many of the verses to be suitable for daily inspirational reading, most often for nighttime. In other words, I like to read Bible verses in the morning and stanzas from old hymnals at bedtime. Here are some fragments of some oldie tunes that go through my head frequently:
Elvis Presley did an excellent job on this tune, which I dwell on when I’m having a rough day:
“It is no secret what God can do.
What He’s done for others, He’ll do for you.
With arms wide open, He’ll pardon you.
It is no secret what God can do.”
Next, I picture a cowboy singing this:
“I wandered so aimless, life full of sin
I wouldn’t let my Dear Savior in
Then Jesus came like a stranger in the night
Praise the Lord! I saw the light”
I picture a choir singing this one:
“He’s got you and me brother, in his hands
He’s got the whole world in his hands”
And this is one for a cloudy, gloomy day – by Henry J. Zelley, published in 1899:
“Walking in sunlight all of my journey,
Over the mountains, through the deep vale;
Jesus has said, I’ll never forsake thee—
Promise divine that never can fail.
Heavenly sunlight! Heavenly sunlight!
Flooding my soul with glory divine;
Hallelujah! I am rejoicing,
Singing His praises, Jesus is mine!”
Hopefully, what I have written here will be an inspiration for some of you to take time in your day to fill your mind and heart with words and songs of strength, encouragement, and praise of God almighty.