"Early Seeker"

"O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is." Psalm 63:1

"O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee." As I read this verse I wondered how true it is in the lives of most believers, or if it is true at all.

There seems to be very little seeking of God, unless we are in trouble and need an answer to a problem. Even then we don't actually seek Him. If the answer doesn't come instantly we get up and go about our way trying to find a solution. Let me ask you a question-- When was the last time you actually sought the Lord in prayer- either for an answer or just to experience His presence in a deeper, more glorious way? When was the last time you sought Him early? Have you set your clock an hour earlier than usual so that you would not be rushed in your prayer time? We get up early to go to work. We get up early to drive to some sort of activity we are interested in. I remember as a child when we would go on vacation, we would get up a long time before daylight and start our journey.

There is something about seeking the Lord early. First thing in the morning. While the rest of the world is still asleep. Before the busyness sets in. The great men of God in our history did it and we are still reading the testimonies of how they "turned their world upside right" for Jesus. Jesus Himself would get up early and seek the Father concerning His will and direction for the day.

Some would protest that you can pray anytime and to say one must pray early in the morning is religious bondage and legalism, and not liberty and grace. No, we can pray anytime. We are admonished in the scriptures to pray without ceasing. But there is something about getting up while there are no interruptions and distractions of the day. There is something about making the sacrifice to deny yourself that extra sleep. There is something about getting out of your "comfort zone"- that nice, soft bed- and seeking the Lord. There is something about doing it then instead of "tagging" your prayer time with Him on after everything else. That "something" is a greater empowerment to live for Him, to work for Him, to serve Him and others and to see His presence manifested in your life in a greater way.

Have a great day. "O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee".

For further reading:
Luke 21:38
Mark 1:35
1 Thessalonians 5:17