Given their choice, some people prefer to sleep in and take the day at a slow pace. Others are morning people. They like to wake up early and hit the road running full of energy and determination. Everyone is different. The kingdom of God has a place for early birds and night owls.
However, the Scriptures reveal that rising early is a trait shared by many who are dedicated in their service to God.
- Abraham “rose early in the morning” to obey the command to offer his son Isaac (Gen. 22:3).
- Joshua “rose early in the morning” to lead Israel across the Jordan River (Josh. 3:1).
- He also “rose early in the morning” to march the army around the city of Jericho (Josh. 6:12, 15).
- King Hezekiah “rose early” on the day worship was restored at the temple (2 Chron. 29:20).
- When the Sabbath was over, the women went to the tomb at their first opportunity to anoint the Lord’s body. “Very early in the morning, on the first day of the week, they came to the tomb when the sun had risen” (Mark 16:2).
- The apostles “entered the temple early in the morning and taught” after they had been released from prison by an angel (Acts 5:19-21).
The gospel of Mark makes an interesting point about our Lord’s devotion to prayer: “Now in the morning, having risen a long while before daylight, He went out and departed to a solitary place; and there He prayed” (Mark 1:35). Spending time with His Father in prayer was so important to Jesus that He purposely woke at an early hour and found a place free from distractions. He was following the plea of David in Psalm 5:3. “My voice You shall hear in the morning, O Lord; in the morning I will direct it to You, and I will look up.” We would do well to learn from Jesus’ example.
Am I arguing that morning people are more righteous or more dedicated to the Lord than others? Not at all. I just find it interesting that the Bible makes this observation. Morning, noon, or night, we need to put the Lord first and make doing His will a priority.
“I made haste, and did not delay to keep Your commandments” (Ps. 119:60).