Live With Eternal Perspective Podcast Episode 141 - Why Should I Seek Jesus Early in the Morning?

Welcome to the Terri Hitt – Live With Eternal Perspective Podcast
Episode #141 – Why Should I Seek Jesus Early in the Morning?

Thank you for entrusting and investing your precious time with me to seek, find, and follow Jesus together as we live with purposed eternal perspective.

Last summer we replaced siding on our house. From the month of April, when we decided to start this huge endeavor and I began collecting quotes from various contractors to the end of October when our entire home was clothed in new siding guaranteed to keep the woodpeckers away, a total of 6 months had passed! That’s half a year! During that time, we had contractors in the yard at any moment as they dropped by to check progress on the house. Workers were almost always present ripping off siding, hammering, and stomping on the roof carrying supplies and making repairs. Throughout each day I’d receive texts or phone calls with multiple questions or updates. I learned very quickly that it was important for me to prioritize anything I needed to get done each day. It was also essential that I let them know certain times that I would be unavailable. Even when they could see me through the windows of the house.

For example, first thing every morning after my youngest daughter awakens, she and I have a date to play. This is a non-negotiable in our schedule. Unless she has surgery or there is an appointment beyond our control, our time together takes priority. How frustrating it was for both of us when the siding replacement brought disruption to her one-on-one time with me every day. Since she’s been home with us in August of 2015, we have made our time together something we both look forward to. It has bonded and attached us and allowed her freedom to explore interests and share passions. It has allowed me to know her sweet nature and understand what she may need to process. It became apparent early on that I needed to tell the workers (and she needed to hear me say the words) that I had a play date in the morning. The time I devoted to my daughter was important enough to dictate that I was not to be disturbed, even when they saw me at the kitchen table playing.

This is the way we should set aside time to be with God. Just as my daughter can see whether I seem to place importance on our time together, and whether I uphold my word that we will have time together for just the two of us, God sees directly into our hearts. He knows the level of desire we carry for Him. He knows the battles we face and the effort we exert to overcome obstacles just to be with Him.

Mark 1:35 says, “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.”

Seeking and following God mattered to Jesus. It was a time He prioritized and set-apart. In order to be a person of godly integrity, in order to carry godly wisdom, in order to know God and make Him known, we must seek to do the same. Jesus was willing to make Himself rise early in the morning. Jesus was willing to step away from others and privately enjoy time alone with the Father. His pursuit of God even though He was already fully God, yet fully man, models how to live in a way that is set-apart and sanctified for the Kingdom of God.

The way we prioritize our time, even our lack of time, shows our character and desires. What we set-apart to complete first becomes habit if we are consistent over time. New patterns in our thoughts, actions, and reactions are established when we arrange the time we are given for eternal purposes.
If we examine the life of Jesus, we see that He spent His life actively pursuing what would bring Him closer to God. Jesus intentionally prioritized what He needed to do in order to mature His faith and obedience.
You may wonder if you must seek God early in the morning. If you don’t will you offend God? Does not seeking Him early constitute a sin?

I am not aware of a specific Scripture that commands we must seek God only in the morning or early each day. Actually, Scripture tells us that God is waiting for us whenever we come to Him. However, Scripture does expose a pattern of early morning risers for God.

What we prioritize exposes what we pursue.

If we plan to prepare for time with our Heavenly Father through praise, prayer, and the Word, we are most likely to be most successful in those aspirations if we attempt to complete our time with God in the morning. What we prioritize is less likely to be pushed aside or rescheduled, thinking we’ll come back to it later. But it depends on the schedule we currently keep and the season of life we are in.

Psalm 119:147 says, “I rise before dawn and cry for help; I have put my hope in Your word.”

Early morning time with God through prayer and Scripture align our spirit and mind with His, allowing God’s strength, wisdom, and endurance to guide our thoughts, words, actions, and reactions throughout each day, and it instigates important growth that attaches us to our Father first thing in the morning before we face trials or tragedies.

I remember when my oldest daughter passed away in 2009, I later found out that at the very time she passed from this earth, I was studying Scripture and completing a Bible Study I was in at the time. I was incredibly thankful my day had started with Jesus and He was carrying me into the worst day of my life so far.

Isaiah 33:2 says, “Lord, be gracious to us; we long for You. Be our strength every morning, our salvation in time of distress.”

Isaiah 41:10 says, “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.”

Just as Scripture says, we must remember that we carry free will. We can choose the best time to study and pray with God. Life has seasons. God knows what demands we face. He sees and understands our deepest desires. God knows when we long for deeper relationship with Him and He recognizes if we simply push Him away for later. Our Heavenly Father searches our heart and sees into the brightest and darkest areas we may not even know exist. He lovingly blesses those who seek Him with deep love and longing and He knows which of us long to do whatever we need to in order to develop a holy desire for Him.

Psalm 88:13 says, “But I cry to you for help, Lord; in the morning my prayer comes before You.”

Matthew 11:28 says, “Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”

James 4:8 says, “Come near to God and He will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.”

The more we seek our Father, the closer He draws to us.

As we draw near to Him, our hunger and thirst miraculously multiplies. Seeking Him early and often allows us a fellowship sweeter than any this world offers.

Psalm 42:1 says, “As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for You, my God.”

Jeremiah 29:13 says, “You will seek Me and find Me when you seek Me with all your heart.”

There is nothing that will ever satisfy your heart and mind like intensely seeking and finding God through a personal relationship with Jesus that allows you to know Him more intimately daily.

Psalm 63:1-5 says, “You, God, are my God, earnestly I seek You; I thirst for You, my whole being longs for You, in a dry and parched land where there is no water. I have seen You in the sanctuary and beheld Your power and Your glory. Because Your love is better than life, my lips will glorify You. I will praise You as long as I live, and in Your name I will lift up my hands. I will be fully satisfied as with the richest of foods; with singing lips my mouth will praise You.”

I’m going to share a verse that reminds us no one, not even Jesus found it simple to break away from the distractions and busyness of life to pray. People often mobbed him. He had disciples around and people needing attention and healing. But Jesus was diligent. He knew what He needed and what the Father desired. Mark 1:35-37 says, “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. Simon and his companions went to look for Him, and when they found Him, they exclaimed: “Everyone is looking for You!”

The passage of Scripture reminds me of Luke 2:48-52, which says, “When His parents saw Him, they were astonished. “Child, why have You done this to us?” His mother asked. “Your father and I have been anxiously searching for You.” “Why were you looking for Me?” He asked. “Did you not know that I had to be in My Father’s house?” But they did not understand the statement He was making to them. Then He went down to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. But His mother treasured up all these things in her heart. And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.”

Jesus recognized and respected the necessity of being with the Father. He ensured that His day was scheduled to accommodate the Father’s wishes to spend time with Him, to instruct and guide, to pursue and protect. Do you regularly consider how deeply God yearns to spend intimate time with you?
Consistent prayer time and time to read and study Scripture is vital for believers.

You cannot know the mind and desires of God without knowing His Word. You will not recognize lies from this world if you do not know the truths of God.

Think of the demands Jesus dealt with daily! Yet He made it a priority to make time to get away and enjoy solitude with His Heavenly Father. Jesus made sure He broke away from everyone and everything first thing in the morning to converse with and hear God. He knew where He received strength, wisdom, guidance, protection, insight, and clarity of mind, as well as so many other qualities and blessings. This short verse reminds each of us that it is imperative for us, no matter what time of day we use, to find time with God daily.

It is not surprising that the last act Jesus completed on this earth was to rise from the grave. Of course, He prioritized this miraculous feat and completed it early in the morning. John 20:1 says, “Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the entrance.”

May you and I strive to become more like Christ daily. He understands the seasons and demands of your life this very minute. If you ask Him to enable you to find the right times to meet with Him, He will honor that prayer.

Dear sovereign, holy God, who resides in Heaven above, yet within and around us, great is your mercy and love for each one of us. Thank you for Your grace and pursuit. Thank you for leaving us the greatest example through Jesus. May we see all He did more clearly and may His words and actions bring us humbly to our knees before You. Help each of us to evaluate our lives and obligations through Your eyes and heart. Help us to see where we can alter our schedules to allow more time for crafting deeper relationships with You. Enable us to allow transformation of heart, mind, and soul from spending quality time in pursuit of You. We thank you for allowing us free will to choose You, but ask that You help us stay in pursuit of You now and forever. In the precious name of Jesus we pray. Amen.

Thank you for listening to the “Live With Eternal Perspective” podcast. You can find this and other transcripts online at terrihitt.com.

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Remember, if we are not purposed in knowing Jesus ourselves and showing Him to the next generation, the world will direct them away from Christ. Live With Eternal Perspective helps us to find, trust, and follow Christ more intimately. Purposed Parent/Connected Child shares biblical, practical truths for parents and grandparents to influence and mentor Christ over culture.

I pray that what you hear on this podcast draws you nearer to God and helps you cling to Him, despite any circumstances in your life. Until next week, keep looking Up while focusing on new ways to Live With Eternal Perspective.