IN THE MORNING by W. N. Glenn

Seventh-day Adventist Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Sep 2, 1880

IN THE MORNING.

By W. N. Glenn

"My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O Lord; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and look up."—Ps. 5:3.

THE Bible, as well as secular history, abounds in the records of successful achievements of those who were given to early rising, and especially of those who early waited upon the Lord. Many instances are given of the early morning being chosen as the time to perform solemn and important undertakings, and of the Lord's special blessing attending the efforts. When Abraham was told to sacrifice his son Isaac, he did not lie in bed in the morning grieving over the matter, dreading to get up and undertake the sorrowful task, until the enemy had time to persuade him into vacillating doubts and fears; he rose up early and went obediently and resolutely to work, and the Lord was with him. When Moses was commanded to perform the hazardous task of delivering the Lord's message to Pharaoh, he was told to go early in the morning. Joshua rose early in the morning to commence the conquest of Jericho, and the army of Heaven co-operated with him.

And early devotion has ever been an indication of earnestness and humble sincerity on the part of God's most faithful servants. Job rose early in the morning to offer burnt-offerings in behalf of his sons in the days of their feastings from house to house (which were no doubt frequent), lest they had sinned and cursed God in their hearts during their revelings. "Thus did Job continually." David, in his earnest penitence, and in his overflowing gratitude and praise, makes frequent mention of his early morning devotions, and the Lord's mercies in consequence. The earnest women were early at the sepulcher of Jesus, to perform, as they supposed, the last offices of honor and love for their Master. The Saviour and his apostles, as also the great reformers, were early workers and early worshipers.

It is not necessary here to particularize the many names of men who have in a secular way become famous through early devotion to their professions or missions. It is sufficient to know that God would be sought early in the morning. In the tabernacle sweet incense was offered every morning; and we, who are also but sojourners in the wilderness, should do likewise. How necessary, indeed, it is for us to erect bulwarks in the morning against the temptations and allurements, doubts and discouragements, that arise during the day. Israel's manna was found in the morning, and it had to be gathered early, before the sun had melted it. So with our spiritual manna; if we neglect to gather it early we may have to go hungry all day. Our Saviour is called the "Bright and Morning Star," let us seek him early, while he may be found.

W. N. GLENN.