"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
Yesterday morning I slept an extra two hours. I haven't done that in....well....I can't remember. And because life is rather crazy right now and there were phone calls with physicians and social workers, those extra two hours of sleep cost me my much needed quiet time with the Lord.
There is definitely a reason Jesus got up before dark to sit before his Father and pray.
"After a long day, we would certainly excuse Jesus for sleeping in. Yet He, having risen a long while before daylight, made less time for sleep and more time for prayer." (EWC)
Spurgeon says this:
“Look no man in the face till thou hast seen the face of God. Speak thou with none till thou hast had speech with the Most High.”
Scripture says this:
"In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly."
Psalms 5:3
What I've realized about the importance of early morning quiet time is this:
•It is really quiet
•There are no distractions
•I am rested
•I can hear His voice
•It's a great way to start the day
Something else I've realized.....if I miss the morning time.....I rarely get back to it. I just can't settle all the thoughts of the day to quiet myself.
That all said, God isn't upset with me. He isn't shaking his finger saying, "Shame on you Missy."
God desires to meet with us. He is always ready and available. He is our comforter. He abundantly supplies strength, courage, power, wisdom....he IS our ALL in ALL.
Now this is Dianna speaking here, I NEED that quiet with him because it sets the trajectory of my path.
"And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in ALL things at ALL times, having ALL that you need, you will abound in every good work."
2 Corinthians 9:8
ALL things
ALL times
ALL needs
I don't know about anyone else but most of the time when I do things in my own power it doesn't go well. Oh, sometimes it does but I must be very careful not to get too confident and self-sufficient.
Yesterday I never made my way back to sitting quietly.....while it happens and I'm not going to beat myself up over it (nor is God) I can't help but think I missed something. I remember when my beloved would go on his annual fishing trip. In the "old days" you paid an arm and a leg to call from Canada to the US so we didn't talk everyday. I remember how much I disliked that. He was so far away and I didn't know what was going on.
I never have to feel that way with my Father. He is available 24/7 100% of the time. He's available in Ohio and Africa. He's available at 5:00 am and midnight. Like I missed my husband then, I miss my Jesus now. When you develop close, personal, intimate, relationships you really don't want a day to go by when you're not in communion with them.
Even friendships are built on time and attention given to one another. We should care if our friends are going through a hard time. We should want them to know they are being prayed for. We should foster a trust and certainty that we will be there for them.
God IS all of those things to us and SO much more. The desire to want that and the sadness when I miss it are a testament to what he means to me.
Though I wasn't raised in the church I know this hymn. A Closer Walk with Thee. How? I suspect it was the old country music that played in our house. Country music has always had a "religious twist".....I might not have understood the true meaning but I knew the words.
What beautiful words:
I am weak but Thou art strong
Jesus keep me from all wrong
I'll be satisfied as long
As I walk, let me walk close to Thee
Just a closer walk with Thee
Grant it, Jesus, is my plea
Daily walking close to Thee
Let it be, dear Lord, let it be
When my feeble life is o'er
Time for me will be no more
Guide me gently, safely o'er
To Thy kingdom's shore, to Thy shore
Just a closer walk with Thee
Grant it, Jesus, is my plea
Daily walking close to Thee
Let it be, dear Lord, let it be
"Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls."
Matthew 11:29
A gentle and humble man calls, "Come sit with me and I will give you rest."
"But for me it is good to be near God; I have made the Lord God my refuge, that I may tell of all your works."
Psalm 73:28
Refuge is described as shelter or protection from danger or distress. Who would not want that refuge?
Though yesterday's extra two hours of sleep were much needed amidst the current trial, I'm grateful that I didn't have a "tomorrow Lord" attitude. That I felt I had missed something he was going to show me. That when I don't set aside time with him I know I'm missing that which I not only desire but desperately need. I'm profoundly thankful to wake early this morning and find him waiting for me.
He IS a faithful God.
The neighbor's chickens are especially vocal this morning. Makes my heart happy to watch this young couple care for them and nurture them. Don't laugh... but I watch them respond to the young woman's loving touch. This morning she crouched down with her baby in hand and as his little feet touched the grass they came running to her.
Such a beautiful picture of how my heavenly Father loves and cares for me. He is intentional. He is faithful. He is loving. He is gentle. He is kind. He is patient. He is rest. He is comfort. He is strength. He is courage. He is wisdom. He is power. I go running to him!! He cares for me and nutures me!!
I hear him in the gentle breeze this morning. What a wonderful way to start another day. Thank you Lord that you woke me before the sun. The dawn of a new day, hot cup of my favorite tea and quiet time in your presence is exactly what I needed. But, of course, you already knew that.
Be blessed today.
Yesterday morning I slept an extra two hours. I haven't done that in....well....I can't remember. And because life is rather crazy right now and there were phone calls with physicians and social workers, those extra two hours of sleep cost me my much needed quiet time with the Lord.
There is definitely a reason Jesus got up before dark to sit before his Father and pray.
"After a long day, we would certainly excuse Jesus for sleeping in. Yet He, having risen a long while before daylight, made less time for sleep and more time for prayer." (EWC)
Spurgeon says this:
“Look no man in the face till thou hast seen the face of God. Speak thou with none till thou hast had speech with the Most High.”
Scripture says this:
"In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly."
Psalms 5:3
What I've realized about the importance of early morning quiet time is this:
•It is really quiet
•There are no distractions
•I am rested
•I can hear His voice
•It's a great way to start the day
Something else I've realized.....if I miss the morning time.....I rarely get back to it. I just can't settle all the thoughts of the day to quiet myself.
That all said, God isn't upset with me. He isn't shaking his finger saying, "Shame on you Missy."
God desires to meet with us. He is always ready and available. He is our comforter. He abundantly supplies strength, courage, power, wisdom....he IS our ALL in ALL.
Now this is Dianna speaking here, I NEED that quiet with him because it sets the trajectory of my path.
"And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in ALL things at ALL times, having ALL that you need, you will abound in every good work."
2 Corinthians 9:8
ALL things
ALL times
ALL needs
I don't know about anyone else but most of the time when I do things in my own power it doesn't go well. Oh, sometimes it does but I must be very careful not to get too confident and self-sufficient.
Yesterday I never made my way back to sitting quietly.....while it happens and I'm not going to beat myself up over it (nor is God) I can't help but think I missed something. I remember when my beloved would go on his annual fishing trip. In the "old days" you paid an arm and a leg to call from Canada to the US so we didn't talk everyday. I remember how much I disliked that. He was so far away and I didn't know what was going on.
I never have to feel that way with my Father. He is available 24/7 100% of the time. He's available in Ohio and Africa. He's available at 5:00 am and midnight. Like I missed my husband then, I miss my Jesus now. When you develop close, personal, intimate, relationships you really don't want a day to go by when you're not in communion with them.
Even friendships are built on time and attention given to one another. We should care if our friends are going through a hard time. We should want them to know they are being prayed for. We should foster a trust and certainty that we will be there for them.
God IS all of those things to us and SO much more. The desire to want that and the sadness when I miss it are a testament to what he means to me.
Though I wasn't raised in the church I know this hymn. A Closer Walk with Thee. How? I suspect it was the old country music that played in our house. Country music has always had a "religious twist".....I might not have understood the true meaning but I knew the words.
What beautiful words:
I am weak but Thou art strong
Jesus keep me from all wrong
I'll be satisfied as long
As I walk, let me walk close to Thee
Just a closer walk with Thee
Grant it, Jesus, is my plea
Daily walking close to Thee
Let it be, dear Lord, let it be
When my feeble life is o'er
Time for me will be no more
Guide me gently, safely o'er
To Thy kingdom's shore, to Thy shore
Just a closer walk with Thee
Grant it, Jesus, is my plea
Daily walking close to Thee
Let it be, dear Lord, let it be
"Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls."
Matthew 11:29
A gentle and humble man calls, "Come sit with me and I will give you rest."
"But for me it is good to be near God; I have made the Lord God my refuge, that I may tell of all your works."
Psalm 73:28
Refuge is described as shelter or protection from danger or distress. Who would not want that refuge?
Though yesterday's extra two hours of sleep were much needed amidst the current trial, I'm grateful that I didn't have a "tomorrow Lord" attitude. That I felt I had missed something he was going to show me. That when I don't set aside time with him I know I'm missing that which I not only desire but desperately need. I'm profoundly thankful to wake early this morning and find him waiting for me.
He IS a faithful God.
The neighbor's chickens are especially vocal this morning. Makes my heart happy to watch this young couple care for them and nurture them. Don't laugh... but I watch them respond to the young woman's loving touch. This morning she crouched down with her baby in hand and as his little feet touched the grass they came running to her.
Such a beautiful picture of how my heavenly Father loves and cares for me. He is intentional. He is faithful. He is loving. He is gentle. He is kind. He is patient. He is rest. He is comfort. He is strength. He is courage. He is wisdom. He is power. I go running to him!! He cares for me and nutures me!!
I hear him in the gentle breeze this morning. What a wonderful way to start another day. Thank you Lord that you woke me before the sun. The dawn of a new day, hot cup of my favorite tea and quiet time in your presence is exactly what I needed. But, of course, you already knew that.
Be blessed today.
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