10/26/2022
The human mind is a wonderful thing, and when there is constant noise or conversation going on about us it can block those things so completely that it is as if they did not exist, but despite our amazing ability to focus, it is still not perfect. So, there is no substitute for experiencing real peace, and quiet… especially when we want to enter into the spiritual realm, and be alone with God. Do we have that time, and place, set aside where we can separate ourselves and hear only the voice of God, and experience His breathing as His life moves into, and out of, our bodies? Solitude is not realized by being separated from everything, no, it is not being completely alone, but being alone with God… He is the life in us. Do we have a place where we are being born, and reborn in Him?
“And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone,”
Matthew 14:23 ESV
Each morning I rise up from my bed at 3:00 AM, exhale the final breath of night, and take my first conscious breath of the new day in prayer, then I go into a certain quiet place in my house, where I sit peacefully with the Lord my God. In this way I have experienced more than simply the beginning of a new spiritual day, I have also stepped past the final moment of the previous evening’s rest… with this one breath, and moment of solitude there is both alpha, and omega, both the final breath of rest, and the first breath of rebirth, being experienced together in a single quiet moment. Do your days consciously begin, and end in this way?
“And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed.”
Mark 1:35 ESV
Morning Prayer is a time of transition where one day ends, and the Lord gives us His will for the new day that is just beginning. If we listen, we receive our release from the previous day, and the plan God has for the new one just as Jesus did. we can’t go without leaving, and this is accomplished in a single step… it’s beginning takes us away from where we were, and it’s conclusion Carrie’s us towards where we are going.
“and they found him and said to him, “Everyone is looking for you.” And he said to them, “Let us go on to the next towns, that I may preach there also, for that is why I came out.” And he went throughout all Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and casting out demons.”
Mark 1:37-39 ESV
We have all had wonderful days in our lives, or been in beautiful places, that were so amazingly pleasurable that we say “I could stay here forever!” My son and his wife are in such a place right now. After a long wait they were blessed with a baby, and he is their absolute joy. Each day they wish that they could stay in that moment forever, but the next day comes, and although it is different, it is better yet. But, if they were given the choice they would remain in this one day forever.
Spiritually we are much like these two new parents. We can become bound to a day, and not want to step into the next, but that is not God’s will for new parents, nor for us as Christians. He wants us to rise each morning, breathe ourselves across the threshold into a new day with Him, and go on to the next towns as Jesus was told to do. However, this can be hard for us to do because we love where we are in Him. So we must develop habits of prayer, and worship that will open our hearts to His voice, and allow Him to lead us on.
“O Lord, in the morning you hear my voice; in the morning I prepare a sacrifice for you and watch.”
Psalm 5:3 ESV
We awoke this morning, took our first few breaths, and put our feet on the floor, but what did we do next? Did we breathe the breath of God, and knowing Him to be there, did we open the gate of heaven, and seek out a quiet place to pray? I hope so, but maybe this is a new revelation for us, a new experience, and the beginning of a new habit fin our spiritual lives…
“Then Jacob awoke from his sleep and said, “Surely the Lord is in this place, and I did not know it.” And he was afraid and said, “How awesome is this place! This is none other than the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven.””
Genesis 28:16-17 ESV
Prayer:
Father, thank you for the breath we breathe each morning that ends one day, and begins the next. Thank you for the night’s rest, and the strength we are given as we journey forth into your new day. Help us Father to develop the good practice of seeking a quiet place where we can hear your voice as you reveal your will to us. Give us the faith in you that will allow us to trust you enough to step from the comfort of this place into the unknown of a new day. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you our God whose will for us is perfect. Praised be your name for every new beginning, and the memories left by every past day. Merciful are you that you forgive us our past sins, and pour your grace over us in our new beginning. Wash us in the blood of your Perfect Lamb Jesus Christ, and make us new in Him with each passing day. Judge us not for who we are, but who we are in Him; your Son. Seat us then at your table for all eternity, and fill us with your Word, and everlasting Love.
“The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. “The Lord is my portion,” says my soul, “therefore I will hope in him.” The Lord is good to those who wait for him, to the soul who seeks him. It is good that one should wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord.”
Lamentations 3:22-26 ESV
Rich Forbes