EARLY IN THE MORNING…

“EARLY IN THE MORNING…” means much more than merely the time of the day. It means even before the day begins. It means, even before anything else begins in our lives. It means even before the sun rises. The wisemen of old say, “Early to bed, early to rise, makes the man, healthy wealthy and wise.” The key is “EARLY” if we noticed it.

The words EARLY IN THE MORNING… are part of an old English hymn, “HOLY, HOLY, HOLY! LORD GOD ALMIGHTY!” It is a hymn worth singing a million times and more, yet, one does not get bored of singing it, nor tired of its meaning. Such are the words that Reginald Heber penned in 1823. A beautiful hymn of pure and unadulterated worship of the LORD GOD ALMIGHTY! 
– “Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty! Early in the morning our song shall rise to thee. Holy, holy, holy! merciful and mighty! God in three Persons, blessed Trinity!” – Reginald Heber

History records for us that, “Reginald Heber was born in 1783 into a wealthy, educated family. He was a bright youth, translating a Latin classic into English verse by the time he was seven, entering Oxford at 17, and winning two awards for his poetry during his time there. After his graduation he became rector of his father’s church in the village of Hodnet near Shrewsbury in the west of England where he remained for 16 years. He was appointed Bishop of Calcutta in 1823 and worked tirelessly for three years until the weather and travel took its toll on his health and he died of a stroke.” – Hymnary’s website

Reginald Heber penned these words to praise his God…who is the most important Person in his life. They are a witness to his deep and passionate desire to worship the LORD God Almighty, the God whom he wants to worship “EARLY IN THE MORNING…” even before the world wakes up. Even before he enters into the works of the world, Heber wants to beging his day with praise and worship of the LORD his God, to his hearts content. The rest of the stanzas of this hymn give a clear insight into the heart and the mind of Reginald Heber, his passionate and heartfelt desire, and what he wishes to do, all the days of his life – to worship his God, and nothing else. 
– “​1 After these things I looked, and behold, a door standing open in heaven. And the first voice which I heard was like a trumpet speaking with me, saying, “Come up here…” 2 Immediately I was in the Spirit; and behold, a throne set in heaven, and One sat on the throne. 3 And He who sat there was like a jasper and a sardius stone in appearance; and there was a rainbow around the throne, in appearance like an emerald…4 Around the throne were…twenty-four elders sitting…6…and around the throne, were four living creatures…8 The four living creatures…they do not rest day or night, saying: “Holy, holy, holy,
Lord God Almighty, Who was and is and is to come!” 9 Whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to Him who sits on the throne, who lives forever and ever, 10 the twenty-four elders fall down before Him who sits on the throne and worship Him who lives forever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying: 11 “You are worthy, O Lord, To receive glory and honor and power; For You created all things, And by Your will they exist and were created.” – Revelation 4:1-3,4a,6,8a-11

How about us, dear brothers and sisters? At what time do we wish to come to the LORD God Almighty, the Redeemer and the LORD of our lives? With what do we come into the presence of the LORD? Do we come to praise, thank and worship the LORD Jesus? Or, do we come primarily with a list of what we want from our God? Let us pause and ponder dear fellow Christians and sojourners. Even so, the LORD Jesus help us.