Early Prayer
The faithful Servant of God was in the habit of getting up early in the morning to start the day with prayer. In Psalm 88:13 He says prophetically, “In the morning my prayer comes before you (comes to meet you).” Every morning He lived out His dependence on God by having His ear awakened and opened in the quietness of the morning to be taught like a disciple—a learner (see Isa. 50:4–5).
Prepared for the Day
The great and eternal “I AM,” the Lord (Yahweh) of the Old Testament, the Creator of heaven and earth, came into this world in the form of a servant and in prayer allowed God to show Him what He should do! Before daybreak, He entered into the presence of God, where He was prepared for the service of the day. There in the silence He received words to revive tired and despondent souls.
Everyone Is Looking for You
The disciples knew where they could find their Master in the early morning hours. When they eventually reached Him, they confronted Him with the words: “Everyone is looking for you” (Mark 1:37). With such news, one tends to respond immediately to the desires of those who are asking for us. To say ‘no’ and thereby disappoint others is often not easy.
God’s Will Sets the Routine
But what did the Lord answer His disciples in this situation? He had already been prepared by His time of quietness in the presence of God, and therefore knew what He should do: “Let us go on to the next towns, that I may preach there also, for that is why I came out” (Mark 1:38). This was God’s will for Him that day—and this will determined His daily routine.
David’s Morning Desire
David, the man after God’s own heart, had a burning desire for fellowship with his God in the early morning. He longed for God to speak to him at the beginning of the day, for he wrote: “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.” (Ps. 143:8). Let this also be your prayer for today!
Reflection Questions
When you reflect on your life, do you find that you are first and foremost before men or before the Lord? The right start to the day makes a big difference. Do you have open ears during your quiet-time in the morning? To what extent do you expect God to speak to you during this time and prepare you for tasks or decisions that come before you in the day ahead?
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