Morning

I like mornings. Some people are owls, and that is OK. But given the choice I would rather retire early so as awake fresh and rise early—when vistas are new, air fresh, temps cool, and yesterday’s weariness rested away.

Israel offered both morning and evening sacrifices, so both times are appropriate for worship. Nevertheless mornings seem special in scripture. At Israel’s exodus, a.m.’s offered occasions for revelation (e.g., when Moses ascended Sinai), for supply of needs (when the manna came), for advance (when Joshua rose to conquer cities). Mornings are when we watch for deliverance:  “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear. The city of God will not fall; God will help her at break of day.”

The angelic beings who celebrated creation with song are called “the morning stars,” and Jesus himself is “the bright and morning star.”

Morning newness seems especially suited for savoring seasons of instruction with the savior in the scriptures: “He wakens me morning by morning, wakens my ear to listen like one being instructed.” “Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days.” “The Lord’s compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” “The Lord’s anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime; weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning.”

When did the women uncover the wonder of our Lord’s resurrection but “early in the morning”? It is not surprising then that we “will do well to pay attention to the prophetic message, as to a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in our hearts.”

Whatever is your best, quietest, most relaxed and receptive time of day, invest some of it regularly with the Lord.