As I have stated over and over, I had No diffidence of assured HOPE in my life before Christ. I am an earlier riser which is a matter that I am sure most of you know by now. Most of the time, especially when school is in session, I am up around 3:00 a.m. Rising early has not always been a penchant for me, neither has having HOPE. I began rising early when I read Mark 1:35 where Jesus provides a model of how we should spend time with the Father to start our day. On the subject of eating well, I recently had someone tell me that they are eating to live while another told me “Why should I be more concerned with the quality of gas I am putting in my car than the quality of food I am putting in my body?” Similarly, yet more significant, why should I not spend time with God early in the morning feeding my soul. After all, the body will destroyed when we die; however, the soul or spirit continues on.
David had a keen since of how he needed to invest his time early in the morning. Let’s listen to what he said once more in Psalm 119:145-147. Here is what David said:
145 I call with all my heart; answer me, O Lord,
and I will obey your decrees.
146 I call out to you; save me
and I will keep your statutes.
147 I rise before dawn and cry for help;
I have put my hope in your word.
David, like Jesus modeled years later, was Rising Early for Hope. We must place our trust, confidence, faith, hope in the living Word of God. “For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” Hebrews 4:12 If we engage God through His Word and prayer, He is able to impart HOPE to us long before the cares of the day bombard us. As the Falcons would say, “Rise Up” not for play but for HOPE.