“And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed.” Mark 1:35.
Each morning I would set my mobile alarm at 4 or 5 am, so that I can wake up and do my Bible study or spend time with my Jesus. And each time, the alarm never fails me, for when the time strikes, the alarm rings. But I fail the alarm most times, because I would wake up, put it off and go back to sleep. After ten minutes, it would ring again, but I’ll just switch it off and continue sleeping. Sleep is so sweet! Anyone who’s been there will know that it is a hard place to be. But let me share some treasures I discovered in the text above that can help with such problems.
When Jesus was on his soul-saving mission on earth, He started His day each day very early and with His God. This is the perfect example for all of His followers. Mrs. White stated somewhere in her writings that this is the daily baptism of the Holy Spirit. Thus, all will be blessed, who allow themselves to be baptised with the Holy Spirit daily!
“…in the morning…a great while before day”
The Lord has plainly outlined in words and action that mornings before daylight are the best time for spending with Him. Notice the following about such times:
Quietness. The Lord wants quiet time with Him. As much as possible, there mustn’t be anything to distract the worshipper from focusing on God. When light appears, the noises of the world would have already been sounded and the quiet time will be disturbed. In the silence of the morning, we are prepared to hear and listen to the Still Small Voice.
Darkness. Since it is dark, most people will still be sleeping, and the place will be silent. And because we can’t see in the night, we will have to use our ‘eye of faith’ to see into heaven and the Presence of God. Prayer and meditation will be the main form of worship and communion with God, because obviously you can’t read in the dark.
Quality. We just woke up from our sleep so we would have been refreshed with new strength. All our mental fatigue has been eaten away by sleep and we are mentally and physically rejuvenated to start a new day. That is quality time. It is also a quality time because such time are the ‘first fruits’ of our time for the day, used to be spent with God. We love God so much that we want to spend the first strength and time with Him after a long sleep.
“…he went out…”
He rose up from and went out of his bed and house. As much as possible, early morning time spent with God should be outside of the bedroom, or even better, outside of the house.
Out of the comfort zone! From experience, the softness of the mattress and the warmness of the blanket will make us go back to sleep. Sleep is sweet, but is more sweet when sugared with warmth and softness, and is much sweeter when honeyed with love!
Out of the disturbing zone! When we are sharing the room with family members, the thought us disturbing them will hinder our communication with God. We want to cry aloud to God but we can’t lest we wake our roomy. Likewise, the chances of them disturbing us, and our quiet time with God, is very minimal. Our mind won’t focus on God when our ears are focusing on our roomy snoring!
“…solitary place…”
Solitary means private or friendless. Jesus went out to a place where no other human beings are present.
Only with God. Since there are no humans around, the Holy Presence is where we desire to enter. In such a place, we are free to sing, pray, cry or talk aloud without the fear of disturbing family members or friends, or them disturbing us. Sometimes when we are with our boyfriends or girlfriends, we desire no disturbances. Such should be with our God. Every home should have a small garden or house where early morning time with God alone can be spent. Ideally, each church ground should have a ‘solitary place’.
Only to God! There is the risk of attracting attention to ourselves with public praying and singing. A solitary place will truly show our motive of our singing and praying, that we are praising God and not to be praised of men. Many sing and pray publically, but never privately with and to God. This brings to question the motives for the public appearance, whether to praise God and be seen by Him alone, or to be praised and seen by men. Our true motives in witnessing are well reflected in and during our quiet time in a solitary place.
“… there prayed…”
Praying is the main activity we should do during the quiet time, in that solitary place. Talking to holy God as a father, in the holy name of Jesus and with the help of the Holy Spirit, we are drawn closer into their Holy Presence. ‘Prayer does not bring God down to us, but brings us up to Him’ (Steps to Christ, pg 93). Isn’t that where many Christians long to be?
Jesus taught the disciples how to pray, but not without first showing them when and where to pray!
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