August 21, 2008
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MORNING MANNA
"My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O LORD; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up." Psalm 5:3
Morning is the best time for getting to know God. This principle was deeply impressed upon the children of Israel by His daily gift of manna. The angel food cake rained down from heaven early in the morning, six days a week, for 40 years. If one waited too long to gather it, the manna would evaporate in the heat of the sun. "And they gathered it every morning, every man according to his eating: and when the sun waxed hot, it melted." Exodus 16:21.
Likewise, if we wait too long for our spiritual devotions, the cares and pressures of the day will get our attention before the Lord does. The busier we are and the more we have to do, the more we need to take time to pray. Let's not allow the manna to melt.
Jesus, our example, practiced morning devotions. "And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, He went out, and departed into a solitary place, and then prayed." Mark 1:35.
As Charles Spurgeon well said: "The morning is the gate of the day, and it should be well guarded with prayer. It is one end of the thread on which the day's actions are strung, and should be well knotted with devotion. If we felt the majesty of life we should be more careful of its mornings.
"He who rushes from his bed to his business and waiteth not to worship is as foolish as though he had not put on his clothes, or cleansed his face, and as unwise as though he had dashed into battle without arms or armor. Be it ours to bathe in the softly flowing river of communion with God, before the heat of the wilderness and the burden of the way begins to oppress." — The Truth About Mary Magdalene , Doug Batchelor, p. 53
What is the best time for you to do your devotions???????Melissa Ringstaff is the Founding Director of A Virtuous Woman, a pastor's wife, and homeschooling mom. She is the author of several titles including The Homemaker's Journal: Keeping House, If It Were Not So..., and From Chaos to Calm: 15 Weeks to a Happy Home.
Comments (7)
This is the primary reason for my staying up after my husband goes to work (normally, when I am not under the weather). I get up and I bless him with his hot breakfast and packed lunch...then after he leaves The Lord gets my fullest attention. I can sure tell the difference in the days that I have with him and without....
My being sick these last few days have made a difference in my energy and desire to expend extra energy...I must get back into my devotional time with HIM! Thanks so much!
Mornings are my time. The alarm goes off at 4:50am, I go to the kitchen, put the kettle on half blast, have a shower, go back to the kitchen, turn the kettle on full blast, get the coffee mugs ready, put any straggling dishes from the night before into soak, pour my coffee--then do my morning devotion. I use a NIV Bible set up for reading in a year and a prayer devotional by Beth Moore--the devotional changes from year to year but I use the same NIV Bible year after year. This has become such an ingrained habit with me I can't imagine not doing it. If the routine does get changed for whatever reasons I notice pretty quick into the day. I know that no matter how many times I read this Book it is always fresh and alive. I need it like I need the air I breathe.
Blessings!
@DawneElla - I love Beth Moore...what prayer devo of hers do you use.....
@SunnySusan - Praying God's Word Day by Day--this little book has been a huge inspiration and blessing to me. As you know Beth has such a way of getting straight to the heart of God's word and making it so liveable and real. I just love this little devotional, putting God's word to prayer is dynomite!
@DawneElla - thanks
Morning is best but at times not possible. The main thing is God understands and knows our day. He is the One that will give us that time to spend with HIm. Every morning, I would sit on the couch and do devos. When I was not there because I was away. My kids said it looked werid to not see me there. I am hoping they too have found a special place to do theirs.
Morning is best for me too. I need to commit my day to the Lord before it gets started!
Have a great weekend! Love ya!
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