Torch, Winter 1985

j What do you do in the morning after you get out of bed and brush your teeth? Perhaps you have a morning shower or bath as part of your routine . Some of us even eat breakfast; others prefer to skip it. Key figures in the Old and New Testaments had another major practice as they began the day . Their thinking is reflected well in the familiar words : I met God in the morning when my day was at its best, When His presence came like sunrise, like a glory in my breast. All day long His presence lingered. All day long He stayed with me , And we sailed with perfect calmness o'er a very troubled sea. Now I think/' ve found the secret- found o'er many a troubled way: You must meet Him in the morning if you want Him through the day. Take note of Abraham in Genesis 19:27: "And Abraham got up early in the morning to the place where he stood before the Lord. " Jacob worshipped God. It is recorded in Genesis 28:18 that " ... Jacob rose up early in the morning, and took the stone that he had put for his pillows, and set it President's Perspective by Dr. Paul Dixon up for a pillar, and poured oil upon the top of it." One of the most significant meetings of man and God in all of history took place because Moses obeyed God early in the day: "And he hewed two tables of stone like unto the first; and Moses rose up early in the morning, and went up into Mount Sinai, as the Lord had commanded him, and took in his hand the two tables of stone" (Exodus : 34:4) . David was no exception to this pattern. In Psalm 57 :7-8 he said, "My heart is fixed, 0 God, my heart is fixed : I will sing and give praise. Awake up, my glory; awake , psaltery and harp: I myself will awake early ." Our greatest example of this devotional discipline is provided by the Lord Jesus of whom it is stated in Mark 1:35 : " . .. in the morning , rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed." "Quiet time" needs to be a priority for all our Cedarville College family - trustees, administrators, faculty, staff, and students - as well as for those of you who are TORCH readers. "Growing and going for our Coming Lord," the college theme for 1984-85, can be accomplished only by placing the proper emphasis on personal devotions, that God might bless and use us for His glory . 3