Most of us struggle to have a quiet time at all, so to argue for the early morning hours as "most desirable" seems a bit unfair. What secret did Jesus know that we need to rediscover?
The Best Time Of The Day
October 8, 2008
Amy Charmichael's mother placed this poem in her Bible:
I want to wait betimes at his gate
E’re the hush of dawn be broken
E’re the hurry of life begin
And the calm of the morn depart
Some word for me alone
In the quietness may be spoken
Which all through the live long day
I shall carry deep in my heart
Francis Quarles (1592-1644), poet and wordsmith, left us with this insight:
Cleanse thy morning soul with private and due devotions
Till then – admit no business. The firstborn of thy
Thoughts are God’s, and not thine, but by Sacrilege: Think thyself not ready, till thou hast praised him, And he will always be ready to bless thee.
In the morning, O LORD, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation. Psalm 5:3
O LORD, be gracious to us; we long for you. Be our strength every morning, our salvation in time of distress. Isaiah 33:2
The Sovereign LORD has given me an instructed tongue, to know the word that sustains the weary. He wakens me morning by morning, wakens my ear to listen like one being taught. Isaiah 50:4
Charles Simeon, the great English pastor for the first half of the 19th century, wanted to start his day with the Lord, but it wasn't going so well. He decided that when he slept in, he would punish himself by rewarding his servant girl. But he found that he would just stay in bed, reasoning that she could use the money anyway.
In desparation one morning after failing again to meet with the Lord, the poor struggling student went to a bridge nearby and heaved a pound into the water. It cost him dearly, but a lesson was learned, and never had to be repeated.
May the Lord help you to start the day with Him. Be hard on yourself. You will never regret it.