Mornings have become a sacred time, at least for me. When I was younger, it was not so, as a shrilling alarm buzzer would be the first thing I heard that sent a jolt of stress through me. The tension would only increase as I hurriedly got ready because I had set my alarm for the latest possible time to sleep in longer. Once I was out of the house and in the car, I faced more grievances as I sat in snarling traffic. Then, upon entering the workplace, it seemed there was always an unpleasant emergency that had to be handled before starting the daily workload. Thankfully, because of changes made, I now appreciate this peaceful and quiet time of the day.
When one spends time out in nature, he observes that mornings begin gradually and peacefully. The sun does not rise all of a sudden. The moon and stars quietly give way to the brightening light. Animals slowly begin to stir and make sounds. Even when we rise from our sleep, we make our way to the kitchen not in a sprint but at a sluggish pace. It is no wonder that the wise man wrote, He who blesses his friend with a loud voice, rising early in the morning, it will be counted a curse to him (Proverbs 27:14).
It was in the peaceful mornings that the children of Israel would rise from their tents and gather manna that God had provided (Exodus 16:11-21). Think of how sublime those mornings must have been as the Israelites reflected on their situation - that they have been freed from the harsh Egyptian slavery, and that instead of gathering straw to make bricks for their ungodly masters, they are now gathering sweet tasting food from their merciful Father. Furthermore, they could see the pillar of cloud that represented the guarding presence of the God of Abraham. Yes, God made the mornings pleasant for his people.
When Jesus ministered upon this earth, he declared to the Jews that he was the antitype of the manna that fed their fathers. I am the bread of life. Your fathers ate the manna in the wilderness and are dead. This is the bread which comes down from heaven, that one may eat of it and not die (John 6:48-50). Jesus was speaking in spiritual terms (cf. John 6:63), and whoever therefore would consume his teachings and keep them would live forever.
Are you gathering manna in your mornings? What better way to begin your day in praying to your eternal Father, and feeding upon his words? This is what the psalmist did: I rise before the dawning of the morning, and cry for help; I hope in Your word. My eyes are awake through the night watches, that I may meditate on Your word (Psalm 119:147-148). Indeed, mornings can be a wonderful gift we get to open every day.
Brotherly, Jamie
