I previously wrote about a habit I’ve pursued for over 25 years. That’s the habit of rising early! I do that as part of my Quiet Time routine that also includes the Hidden Power of Journaling. But what are the benefits of rising early?
Early Risers
First, let’s begin with cataloging some of those throughout scripture who intentionally rose early.
- Abraham – rose early to survey the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, to send away Hagar and Ishmael and to take Isaac to Mount Moriah to sacrifice him to God (Genesis 19:27, 21:14, 22:23)
- Moses – rose early to write God’s laws and build an altar and to present himself before Pharoah (Exodus 8:20, 9:13, 34:4)
- Joshua – rose early to cross the Jordan, take Jericho, discover a traitor and to claim victory after a defeat (Exodus 8:20, Exodus 9:13, and Exodus 34:4)
- Gideon – rose early to pursue the army of Midian (Judges 6:38)
- Elkanah and Hannah – rose early to worship before the Lord (1 Samuel 1:19 )
- Samuel – rose early to handle a hard task for the Lord (1 Samuel 15:12)
- David -rose early to visit his brothers on the battlefield (1 Samuel 17:20-24)
- Hezekiah – rose early to worship, sacrifice to God and restore the people to God (2 Chronicles 29:20)
- Job – made it his habit to rise early in the morning and offer burnt offerings on behalf of his children (Job 1:5)
- Jesus – rose early to pray in a quiet solitary place (Mark 1:35)
Many people in the Bible were morning people! Jesus being one of them! By rising early, Jesus was further enabled to understand His purpose:
‘Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed. Simon and his companions went to look for him, and when they found him, they exclaimed: “Everyone is looking for you!” Jesus replied, “Let us go somewhere else—to the nearby villages—so I can preach there also. That is why I have come.” So he traveled throughout Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and driving out demons.’ -Mark 1:35-39
Why Rise Early?
These are some of the reasons for rising early as outlined in scripture:
- God hears our voice in the morning: we direct our prayers to Him and look up. We cry out for help and put our hope in his words. We utter out complaints, moan, and he hears our voice (Psalm 5:3, Psalm 119:147, Psalm 55:17)
- We wait for Him: ‘My soul waits for the Lord more than watchmen for the morning, more than watchmen for the morning.’ (Psalm 130:6) ‘Morning by morning he awakens; he awakens my ear to hear as those who are taught’ (Isaiah 50:4)
- We receive the joy of His presence; ‘Let me hear in the morning of your steadfast love, for in you I trust’ (Psalm 143:8). ‘Satisfy us in the morning with your steadfast love, that we may rejoice and be glad all our days’ (Psalm 90:14). ‘The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness’ (Lamentations 3:22-25). ‘For his anger is but for a moment, and his favour is for a lifetime. Weeping may tarry for a night, but joy comes with the morning’ (Psalm 30:5)
- We receive direction: ‘Let me hear in the morning of your steadfast love, for in you I trust. Make me know the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul’ (Psalm 143:8)
- Time to sow your seed: ‘In the morning sow your seed, and at evening withhold not your hand, for you do not know which will prosper, this or that, or whether both alike will be good’ (Ecclesiastes 11:6)
Command the Morning
In the Book of Job, God asks Job an intriguing question;
‘Have you commanded the morning since your days began, and caused the dawn to know its place, that it might take hold of the skirts of the earth, and the wicked be shaken out of it? It is changed like clay under the seal, and its features stand out like a garment’ -Job 38:12-14
God commands the morning, but is it possible for us to imitate Him and command our morning?
In the Psalms it is repeated twice;
‘Awake, my glory! Awake, O harp and lyre! I will awaken the dawn.’ -Psalm 57:8 and ‘Awake, O harp and lyre! I will awaken the dawn!’ -Psalm 108:2
Is it possible that the sound of our voice and song can awaken the dawn and command the morning?
‘But I will sing of your strength; I will sing aloud of your steadfast love in the morning. For you have been to me a fortress and a refuge in the day of darkness’ -Psalm 59:16
By following in the footsteps of great men and women of old, it becomes possible to command our morning! And if we can command our morning, we can command our days!
Prepare for the Days Events
Other than speaking to God and waiting for Him in the morning, there are other things we can do by rising early to prepare for the day ahead!
In scripture; people rose early to start long journeys (Genesis 31:55, Judges 19:5, 8-9)
Good kings and armies rose early for battle (2 Kings 19:35; Isaiah 37:36)
A woman rises early to prepare breakfast and plan the days work (Proverbs 31:15)
Proven Benefits of Rising Early
Many studies show people who wake earlier are far less likely to develop depression, anxiety or other mood disorders. One reason could be those who wake up earlier have more access to daylight, which is a natural mood booster.
So how about you? Are you more of a ‘night owl’ or an ‘early bird?’
Have you discovered the benefits of rising early?
