Finding Hope in the Morning
By Jenna Arnold
Director of Digital Outreach
Have you ever woken up feeling overwhelmed by the weight of yesterday? Maybe our to-do lists feel endless, or our struggles seem to follow us into the new day. But the Bible reminds us that each morning is a fresh start, an opportunity to trust in God’s steadfast love. Psalm 143:8 says: “Let me hear in the morning of your steadfast love, for in you I trust. Make me know the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul” (ESV).
There’s something special about mornings. Even after the hardest nights, the rising sun reminds us that God’s mercies are new every day. Psalm 143:8 captures this beautifully. It’s a prayer asking God to reveal his love and guidance as we begin the day. This verse isn’t just poetic; it’s deeply practical. It gives us a roadmap for starting each morning with hope and trust.
We often wake up with lingering worries or unresolved problems from the day before. But Psalm 143:8 invites us to shift our focus. Instead of dwelling on the struggles, we’re called to lift our souls to God and trust him to show us the way forward.
Anxiety and insomnia have been part of my life for as long as I can remember. But there was one night about 15 years ago where it was incredibly intense. I had let a loved one down that day in a really epic way, and I didn’t know whether our relationship was going to survive. I was half expecting that they would just tell me they’d had enough of me the next day, and I was so dreading that moment. I remember pacing back and forth in my bedroom, crying and crying out to God in desperation. How could this happen? How could I be going through this pain and anxiety when I had tried so hard to be faithful to God’s will?
After awhile, I realized my own thinking had me trapped in anxiety, so I turned to my Bible and the Psalms. I flipped randomly through them, reading bits here and there as tears fell on the pages. That’s when I came across Psalm 143:8. In the NIV it reads “Let morning bring word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you.” In that moment, it suddenly seemed so clear; there was nothing I could do but go to sleep and trust God. I know he’s good and he has good plans for me, and in my mind I could see how as the sun would rise and color the sky and bring life back to the world at dawn, God was going to bring good things in the morning. Maybe the situation wouldn’t be resolved, but morning could only be better than the anxiety and tears of that night.
That verse has been on my heart since that night. Whenever I’m going through a difficult time or start feeling hopeless, I say it again and cling to that image of a new dawn coming. I’ve found it to be true. No matter how difficult or bad a situation I’m going through, there’s always going to be another dawn coming, and with it new hope in God’s plan. He’s never let me down, and he never will.
Psalm 143:8 shows us two key truths: God’s love is steadfast, and his guidance is available. Steadfast love means it’s unchanging, dependable, and not based on how well we’re doing. It’s simply who God is. And his guidance isn’t about giving us every detail of the future—it’s about showing us the next step, one moment at a time. When we lift our souls to him in trust, he meets us right where we are.
Practical Steps to Start Our Morning with Hope
- Pray First: Before we check our phones or dive into our to-do lists, we can take a moment to pray. Use Psalm 143:8 as a guide, asking God to reveal his love and direction for the day.
- Read Scripture: Spend a few minutes in God’s Word, letting it shape our perspective and remind us of his promises.
- Pause for Gratitude: Start the day by thanking God for his steadfast love and the new opportunities he’s given us.
- Trust Him with the Day Ahead: Surrender our plans and anxieties to God, trusting him to guide us through each step.
A Prayer for Strength
Heavenly Father, thank you for your steadfast love that greets us each morning. We lift our souls to you and ask for your guidance today. Help us to trust in your goodness and to see the opportunities you’ve placed before us. Even when we feel uncertain, remind us that you are with us and that your love never fails. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
No matter what yesterday held, today is a fresh start. Psalm 143:8 reminds us to begin each day by trusting in God’s love and seeking his direction. When we do, we’ll find the peace and hope we need to face whatever comes our way. What’s one way we can start our morning by lifting our souls to God? Let’s take that step today and trust him to guide us.
Worship Along
Lyrics: Good Plans by Red Rocks Worship
Verse 1
The Lord is my shepherd
And He is everything I need
So I will not worry
I will not fear the enemy
He said that He loves me
He said that He’s with me even though
I walk through the valley
Of shadow and death and still I know
Chorus
He has good plans
He has good plans for me
So I will take heart
In deserts and gardens
He has good plans
He has good plans for me
If I know my Father
I know my Father
Verse 2
The Lord is my Savior
So why should I doubt my victory
Why would I question
The rod and the staff
That comforts me
He quiets the waters
He quiets the storm inside of me
So what could be better
Than walking with Him when I believe
Chorus
He has good plans
He has good plans for me
So I will take heart
In deserts and gardens
He has good plans
He has good plans for me
If I know my Father
I know my Father
Bridge
Surely Your goodness
And mercy will follow after me
So fear will not find me
‘Cause I’ll be dwelling
In the house of God
Surely Your goodness
And mercy will follow after me
So fear will not find me
‘Cause I’ll be dwelling
In the house of God
Chorus
He has good plans
He has good plans for me
So I will take heart
In deserts and gardens
He has good plans
He has good plans for me
If I know my Father
I know my Father has
Refrain
Good plans
Good plans
Good plans
If I know my Father
I know my Father has