Do you love mornings?  I have never considered myself a true morning person.  In fact, I have always envied those people who seem to rise cheerfully “a great while before day.”  Yet the older I get the more the quiet of the early morning hours means to me.

This week a dear friend pointed out a wonderful but neglected passage to me.  Job 34:15-17 says, “In a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleep falleth upon men, in slumberings upon their bed; Then he openeth the ears of men, and sealeth their instruction, That he may withdraw man from his purpose, and hide pride from man.”

Before the completion of God’s written revelation the Lord often spoke to men in dreams.  His revelation is now complete and no new truth is being given.  We have it all!  It is important to know that God still does speak to people in the night hours and in the first fresh moments of the new day.  Perhaps when there are fewer distractions it is easier to hear the still, small voice of our God.

Dr. Frank Sells said to us many years ago that he prayed every night before he went to bed that God would sanctify his dreams.  That even his unconscious thoughts would be pleasing to God.  What a beautiful thought!  I have found that if the last thoughts of the day are on the Lord this is much more likely.  A prayer of thanksgiving and dedication, meditation on a great promise of Scripture, a brief portion from a devotional book – all of these can help your mind to be turned to the Lord.

Increasingly I am convinced that the first ten minutes of the day are often the most important.  They set the tone for the rest of the day.  Many mornings God has spoken to me about something before I ever even got out of bed!  Take time to think and pray.  Look to the Lord immediately and talk to Him first.

The little phrase, “that he may withdraw man from his purpose” is key.  In the busyness of the day, in the haste of personal agendas, we are often consumed with our purpose.  God wants to withdraw us from that and come apart with Him.  Listen for His voice.  In the early morning you can find His purpose for the day.