Praise to the Lord, the Almighty

When school started five weeks ago, I challenged myself to create a schedule that would allow quality time with God before I began the work day. I knew that such a schedule would require waking up around 5:30 if I also wanted to walk in the mornings. YIKES! I am a night owl by nature. I enjoy staying up in the quiet of the night. I do some of my best thinking after ten p.m. Some of my best papers in college were written after midnight. Unfortunately, a 5:15 a.m. alarm doesn't allow for staying up too late.
Anyhow, as I have fallen into this routine, I have found that my energy level is up, and that I feel better throughout the day. I know this is due, in part, to my (almost) daily walks and eating breakfast. However, I also know that the large part of this is due to the time I spend with God each morning. This week, though, I've hit "the wall", in a way. It's getting chillier each morning, both of my former walking partners have moved on to other things, and it's getting more difficult to walk. I don't want to crawl out of bed when it's dark out. I want to sleep in, to enjoy that time between sleep and wakefulness a few more minutes. But, I hear that gentle whisper saying, "Come unto me." So, I begin the day anew (grumbling at times).
The other day, as I struggled against sleep to enter in to God's presence (after a brisk walk, shower, and coffee, nonetheless), an old hymn came to mind. I have the song on a hymns CD I purchased several years ago, and prior to that purchase, I don't think I had ever heard the song. I don't know the words to it well enough to sing with the CD, but the lyrics came to me as I fought to praise God through yawns. It's entitled "Praise to the Lord, The Almighty".

Praise to the Lord, the Almighty

The King of creation

O, my soul, praise Him

For He is thy health and salvation

All ye who hear, now to His temple draw near

Praise Him in glad adoration

Praise to the Lord, Who o'er all things

So wonderfully reigneth

Shelters thee under His wings

Yea, so gladly sustaineth

Hast thou not seen how thy desires e'er have been

Granted in what He ordaineth

Praise to the Lord, Who doth prosper thy work

And defend thee

Surely His goodness and mercy here

Daily attend thee

Ponder anew what the Almighty can do

If with His love He befriend thee

Praise to the Lord, all that is in me

Adore Him

All that hath life and breath

Come now with praises before Him

Le the 'amen' sound from His people again

Gladly for aye we adore Him

Father, thank You for allowing me the privilege of coming to You in prayer and praise. You are my light and my salvation, the rock I can turn to in time of trouble; the shelter in the storm; the glorious One who is worthy of any praise I can muster. You are the One who gives me praise when all I want to do is sleep. Father, I pray that You would continue the work in me that You have ordained since the beginning of time. Continue to fan the flame of passion for Your word, for worship, and for eternity, within my heart.