Gather Your Manna (pt.2)

Mark 1:35 Devotion: Gather Your Manna (pt.2)  

Good morning Family, let us continue with gathering manna because of its importance. Let us examine Mark 1:35 which states Now in the morning, having risen a long while before daylight, He went out and departed to a solitary place; and there He prayed. Look who got up early to pray, Jesus. Now we might feel that He did not need to do it that early. After all, He is Son of God. Here Jesus is teaching by example.

Believer’s how many times have we woken up at 3am and can’t go back to sleep. We should probably answer like Samuel, speak; for thy servant heareth (1 Samuel 3:10). There is importance in rising early to feed from the word or God or just to pray. Remember, this is about communing with God and putting Him first before other things of life begin to demand your attention.

Only just now while reading a commentary does Romans 12:1 move beyond sexual purity to also include surrendering our bodies even in a lack of sleep as a living sacrifice to the call of God. How does a few less hours of sleep compared to that time spent in the presence of Our Eternal Father. Listen, we are human, and the flesh will resist. The warm arm of your spouse is comforting; you are tired from the previous days activities and the list can go on. Excuses.

We sing bread of heaven, feed me till I want no more but don’t want to leave the bed to gather it early. There in the quiet of morning and stillness of your heart it is much easier to hear the will of God. To hear the direction, you so desperately seek. Manna that is not   gathered early will melt away.

Let us discipline ourselves to rise early, gather our manna in accordance with Matthew 6:6. But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

Come, join me in prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, we come before you this morning with hands lifted high praising You for your mercy and example. Father, forgive us for not following your example in gathering our spiritual manna. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.