In Joshua 3:1-5 we see a principle that when employed can be very beneficial, “Joshua rose early in the morning;” here it was to lead the people of Israel on the next “leg” of their journey toward the land God promised them for a possession. The Hebrew word translated early in this verse means “to incline” i.e. “load up” and “start early”. There are several verses in the Bible that encourage us to seek God early. Proverbs 8:17, “They that seek me early shall find me” KJV; this comes from a different Hebrew word meaning “dawn, figuratively “be (up early)” implying earnestness, and by extension to search for”. In Psalm 63:1 David says, “… early will I seek You; My soul thirsts for You; My flesh longs for You in a dry and thirsty land Where there is no water.” A tremendously powerful verse, for this land, this world, has no “water” with which to satisfy the soul; this satisfying water is found only in God through Jesus, see John 4:10, 13-14; other verses to contemplate are Hosea 5:15; Proverbs 1:28; and Isaiah 26:9. Seek Him early both in the twenty-four hour day and in the day of life, and you can never begin earlier than right now! Seek Him early lest you reach a place by resisting Him that He will not answer; yes it is possible to reach such a place according to Proverbs 1:28 and 2 Chronicles 36:16! Isaiah 40:31 says, “But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength …” To wait in this verse means to bind ourselves together with Him (like strands to form a rope). Always remember that to wait is both to linger with or for someone or something, but it is also to serve, as a waiter/waitress in a restaurant, or as a clerk in a store, and we should begin to “wait on the Lord” early.
Arise
By Rose Hill (taken from Joshua 3:1-5 & Isaiah 40:31)
Arise early in the morning and your God seek,
This will give you strength and you’ll not be weak.
When you enter His presence and He shows the way,
Then set out from there and do what the Lord doth say,
Sanctify yourself and set apart,
Give Him, your thoughts and all of your heart.
For tomorrow He has promised for your life great things,
Mount up like the eagles and use your wings.
Expect and look for the change that you need,
Read God’s word and pray and sow the right seed.
He has promised to do wonders for those who trust,
So waiting on Him is surely a must.
Unless otherwise noted Scripture quotations are form the New King James version copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson Co. used by permission.