A Great While Before Day
Today’s Verse:
And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed. ~Mark 1:35
Are you a morning person? Morning people thrive on being up early. They tend to be greatly energized after a good night’s sleep and ready to make great accomplishments during the first few hours of the day. Morning people will attest that they are more productive and successful. Morning people also enjoy the quiet solitude of that first cup of coffee, a morning walk or run, and their quiet time with God.
We see the demand.
“And at even, when the sun did set, they brought unto him all that were diseased, and them that were possessed with devils.” Jesus had a busy evening ministering to many people. The types of situations that He dealt with needed help that only the Son of God could deliver. As we serve the Lord, there is a great demand for our time, energy, and effort. We must be careful that we do not minister in the flesh but in the power of the Spirit. People came in droves because they had faith in what Jesus could do.
We see the depletion.
“And he healed many that were sick of divers diseases, and cast out many devils; and suffered not the devils to speak, because they knew him.” Notice the emphasis on “many.” It was a busy evening. In His humanity, Jesus felt the drain and depletion on Him physically, and even spiritually, since He was touched with the feeling of our infirmities. Depletion is when we have spent what we have on others. We have poured ourselves out to the point that we must get replenished.
We see the discipline.
“And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place….” Jesus made it a point every day of His earthly life to rise early before the sun would rise. He was up while others were still sleeping. He was up when it was most quiet. He was up to find a solitary place where He could meet with His Heavenly Father. He practiced the discipline of His time with God.
We see the devotion.
“…And there prayed.” The Lord was up early to pray. Our minds are sharp, and our hearts are ready to seek the Lord when it is a great while before day. Prayer in the morning stirs us. Prayer in the morning shapes us. Prayer in the morning prepares us. Prayer in the morning is the vital link between us and God. Without it, we are like other men. We will be deprived, depleted, and defeated. John Bunyan said, “He who runs from God in the morning will scarcely find Him the rest of the day.”
We see the dynamic.
“And he said unto them, Let us go into the next towns, that I may preach there also: for therefore came I forth.” Prayer prepared and reenergized Jesus for a new day of ministry and serving people. Prayer gives us clarity. Prayer gives us capability. Prayer gives us confidence and faith. “For he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” I challenge you to be a morning person who rises a great while before day to pray with our Lord. It will take work and discipline, but the results are life-changing.
Have an early God Morning!
Bible Reading Schedule: Isaiah 5-8