Mark 1:35 "And in the morning, rising up
a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and
there prayed."
We understand that the primary reason for Jesus leaving heaven was to accomplish redemption for His people. As the angel declared unto Joseph concerning Mary giving birth: "She shall bring forth a son and thou shalt call his name Jesus: for he shall save his people from their sins." This is such a beautiful and grand truth upon which we can base our eternal security. Jesus came to save sinners. On the cross, He declared His work to be finished. We are redeemed by the shed blood of Jesus Christ.
Though that was the primary reason, His life is full of examples by which we would do well to follow. Today's verse is one such example. Jesus rose up early to pray. Before the day fully began, Jesus spent time with the Father. He separated Himself into a solitary place where there were no distractions. He entered into a time of personal communication with God, His Father.
Doesn't that seem like a logical way to begin our day? Life is full of situations, circumstances, trials, and struggles. Any one of them would be too much for us to endure if not for the help of our Heavenly Father. The Almighty God has given an open door policy by which you and I are fully and freely invited to spend time with Him. He has brought us into a relationship with Him whereby we have unrestrained and unrestricted time with Him.
I ask myself the question this morning: With that freedom before the Almighty, How much do I take advantage of that sweet freedom? As the old Hymn asks, "Ere you left your room this morning, did you think to pray?"
We understand that the primary reason for Jesus leaving heaven was to accomplish redemption for His people. As the angel declared unto Joseph concerning Mary giving birth: "She shall bring forth a son and thou shalt call his name Jesus: for he shall save his people from their sins." This is such a beautiful and grand truth upon which we can base our eternal security. Jesus came to save sinners. On the cross, He declared His work to be finished. We are redeemed by the shed blood of Jesus Christ.
Though that was the primary reason, His life is full of examples by which we would do well to follow. Today's verse is one such example. Jesus rose up early to pray. Before the day fully began, Jesus spent time with the Father. He separated Himself into a solitary place where there were no distractions. He entered into a time of personal communication with God, His Father.
Doesn't that seem like a logical way to begin our day? Life is full of situations, circumstances, trials, and struggles. Any one of them would be too much for us to endure if not for the help of our Heavenly Father. The Almighty God has given an open door policy by which you and I are fully and freely invited to spend time with Him. He has brought us into a relationship with Him whereby we have unrestrained and unrestricted time with Him.
I ask myself the question this morning: With that freedom before the Almighty, How much do I take advantage of that sweet freedom? As the old Hymn asks, "Ere you left your room this morning, did you think to pray?"