"The Morning Watch" "Also, Lord, in the morning thou shalt hear my voice; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will lookieth forth." — Psalm 5:3 (KJV) Have you ever noticed how quickly the world tries to claim your attention? Before your feet even hit the floor, the digital hum of notifications, the mental checklist of chores, and the looming pressures of "to-do" lists begin to crowd your mind. It is so easy to let the first thoughts of the day be dictated by our anxieties rather than by His promises. But there is something sacred about those early moments—that quiet space between waking up and stepping into our roles as employees, parents, and neighbors. When we choose to "watch" in the morning, we are carving out a sanctuary. We aren't just checking off a spiritual box; we are positioning our hearts to be shaped by His Word before the world tries to shape us by its demands. In the Reformed tradition, we often speak of "Coram Deo"—living before the face of God. This isn’t something we do only in the sanctuary on Sundays; it is a lifestyle of acknowledging that every moment belongs to Him as our Sovereign King. By giving Him the "first fruits" of our time, we are making a theological statement: "You are the Lord of my time, not my career, not my household, and not my worries." When we anchor ourselves in Scripture first thing, we aren't just seeking information; we are seeking transformation. We are reminding our souls that his grace is sufficient for whatever the day may bring. Think about your upcoming week. Perhaps there is a project at work that feels overwhelming, or a strained relationship that feels heavy on your heart. When we rush straight into those problems without first dwelling in the Word, we often approach them in our own strength. But when you start with prayer and Scripture, you are putting on your armor. You are reminding yourself of who He is before you face what it is. Even if it’s just ten minutes of reading a Psalm or sitting in silence with a single verse, that "Morning Watch" acts as a spiritual buffer. It changes your posture from reacting to the world to responding to Christ. "Take a moment now to sit quietly. Ask the Lord to take the heaviest burden on your heart today—that one thing that has been stealing your peace—and lay it at His feet. Pray that you would walk through the coming hours not in your own power, but as one who is hidden in Christ."