MORNINGS WITH GOD
Kimberly Lawrence
Today's Scripture: “Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.” Mark 1:35, ESV
Theme: Early morning prayers and fasting can become regular habits for us, just as they were for Jesus.
“I'M JUST NOT A MORNING PERSON”
I can’t count the number of times I’ve heard people use that phrase, typically in response to hearing of my obscenely early wake up time. Yes, my alarm goes off and I’m tired…sometimes exhausted. Yet there are some indisputable benefits to becoming an early riser. Notice I said “becoming” ... I’ll come back to that in a moment. When I wake, “very early in the morning” like today’s Scripture suggests, at that hour, there is rarely anything that competes for my time and attention. The rest of the world is still asleep! My spouse and kids are sometimes hours from cracking an eyelid. Work emails and calls have not yet started, nor have the appointments that can sometimes rush me into my car and consume an entire day. As a bonus, I am often able to catch the most breathtaking sunrises in which I reflect on the glory of God’s creation. In the early morning hours, it is simply…quiet. Without distraction, I can experience God’s presence.
BECOMING
Let’s get back to “becoming." Like many worthwhile and healthy habits, becoming an early riser takes time and discipline. It means pushing through some tired or cold mornings and sometimes going to bed earlier at night. The value in early mornings is to withdraw and experience solitude as you prayerfully consider your day. While it may be uncomfortable at first, it’s worth trying it out, making it a more regular habit or deciding it is a non-negotiable…because rising early to meet God is exactly what Jesus did.
Jesus went out to a solitary place…at daybreak (Luke 4:42)
At dawn…Jesus appeared in the temple courts (John 8:2)
He withdrew to lonely places and prayed (Luke 5:16)
He went out to a mountainside to pray (Matthew 14:23 and Luke 6:12)
Make It Personal: As we enter the season of resolutions and creating new habits, let’s try out a day or two of following Jesus’ example of awaking early, using that valuable time alone to set our hearts and minds on God. The rising of the sun and the dawn of each new day is a blessing. We can choose to wake up to see it! And, when we do, give thanks for all He has provided.
Pray: God, it may not be easy, but I ask You to give me the discipline to follow Your example and rise early in the day. May my morning prayers be filled with praise and thanksgiving for the joy of a new day You have provided. As I experience a peaceful time and the beauty of a sunrise before there rest of the world stirs, I give You thanks. Amen.
Read: Lamentations 3:22-24; Psalm 30:5; Luke 4:42, 6:12, 5:16; John 8:2; Matthew 14:23
Weekly Memory Verse: “And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19, ESV