Good Morning, Lord.

It's 6:30am right now, and I've been up since 4 studying Greek. I'll keep at it until 8:30 (when I leave for class).

Days like today are frustrating. I'm not a natural linguist, and I don't like getting up early to prepare for quizzes. Mornings are my natural enemy.

Worse, I often feel like I'm failing God. A minister should WANT to study Greek, right? He should be holy and excited and tireless in understanding the Word?

I fail so miserably when it comes to honoring God. Thankfully, I took a few minutes this morning to remember that God isn't glorified by me not being weak... he's glorified by working through me even though I AM weak. I was greatly encouraged (to the point of tears) by this prayer from The Valley of Vision this morning, and thought I'd share it.

OH LORD OF GRACE,
The world is before me this day,
and I am weak and fearful,
but I look to thee for strength;

If I venture forth alone I stumble and fall,
but on the beloved's arms I am firm as the eternal hills;

If left to the treachery of my heart I shall shame thy name,
but if enlightened, guided, upheld by thy spirit,
I shall bring thee glory.

Be thou my arm to support,
my strength to stand, my light to see,
my feet to run, my shield to protect,
my sword to repel, my sun to warm.

To enrich me will not diminish thy fullness;

All thy lovingkindness is in thy Son,

I bring him to thee in the arms of faith,

I urge his saving name as the one who died for me.

I plead his blood to pay my debts of wrong.

Accept his worthiness for my unworthiness,
his sinlessness for my transgressions,
his purity for my uncleanness,
his sincerity for my guile,
his truth for my deceits,
his meekness for my pride,
his constancy for my backslidings,
his love for my enmity,
his fullness for my emptiness,
his faithfulness for my treachery,
his obediance for my lawlessness,
his glory for my shame,
his devotedness for my waywardness,
his holy life for my unchaste ways,
his righteousness for my dead works,
his death for my life.

Amen.