What other scriptures emphasize the importance of seeking God early in the day? Early Morning Devotion in Mark 16:2 “Very early on the first day of the week, just after sunrise, they went to the tomb.” The women did not delay; their love for Christ moved them to the tomb at dawn. Scripture keeps echoing this same pattern—God’s people rise early because He is worth their first and best. Patterns in Jesus’ Own Life and Ministry • Mark 1:35 – “Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up and left the house. He went out to a solitary place to pray.” • Luke 21:38 – “And early in the morning all the people came to Him at the temple to hear Him.” • John 8:2 – “Early in the morning He went back into the temple courts. All the people came to Him, and He sat down to teach them.” • Matthew 28:1 – “After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb.” When the women hurry to the tomb in Mark 16:2, they are walking in the same rhythm their Lord had modeled—meeting God while the day is fresh. Songs of Dawn in the Psalms • Psalm 5:3 – “In the morning, O LORD, You hear my voice; at daybreak I lay my plea before You and wait in expectation.” • Psalm 63:1 – “O God, You are my God. Earnestly I seek You; my soul thirsts for You.” • Psalm 119:147 – “I rise before dawn and cry for help; in Your word I have put my hope.” • Psalm 143:8 – “Let the morning bring me word of Your loving devotion, for I trust in You.” • Psalm 90:14 – “Satisfy us in the morning with Your loving devotion.” • Psalm 130:6 – “My soul waits for the LORD more than watchmen wait for the morning.” These psalms teach that the morning hours are privileged moments for prayer, trust, and fresh satisfaction in His steadfast love. Prophetic and Wisdom Voices • Isaiah 26:9 – “My spirit seeks You at dawn.” • Proverbs 8:17 – “I love those who love me, and those who seek me early will find me.” The prophets and wisdom writers agree: early pursuit meets an eager God. Old-Testament Saints Who Rose Early • Genesis 19:27 – Abraham “got up early” to stand before the LORD. • Exodus 34:4 – Moses “early in the morning… went up Mount Sinai.” • Job 1:5 – Job “would rise early in the morning to offer burnt offerings.” • 1 Samuel 1:19 – Elkanah and Hannah “arose and worshiped before the LORD” early. • 2 Chronicles 29:20 – Hezekiah “gathered the officials… early” and went to the house of the LORD. • Exodus 16:21 – Israel gathered manna “every morning” before it melted. Each account shows wholehearted obedience expressed in prompt, dawn-time action. Fresh Morning Mercies • Lamentations 3:22-23 – “Because of the loving devotion of the LORD we are not consumed… His mercies never fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness!” God stacks every sunrise with new mercies; meeting Him early is how we unwrap them. Early Practice in the New Covenant Community • Acts 5:21 – “At daybreak they entered the temple courts… and began to teach the people.” The apostles carried the pattern forward—gospel ministry begins with the morning light. Why the Dawn Matters • It offers undistracted moments before the noise of the day. • It declares God deserves the “firstfruits” of time and attention. • It sets the heart in tune with His will, influencing every subsequent decision. • It follows the direct example of Jesus and countless faithful saints. Scripture, from Genesis to Acts, pulses with one invitation: meet the Lord early, and watch how the rest of the day is transformed. |
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