Text: Exodus 7:15-17
Memory text:
“And the Lord said to Moses, “Rise early in the morning and stand before Pharaoh as he comes out to the water. Then say to him, ‘Thus says the Lord: “Let My people go, that they may serve Me.”
Exodus 8:20 NKJV
According to old folklore, the early hours of the morning are regarded as the time of the highest demonic activities. While the Christian doctrine is not based on this belief, yet the scriptures doesn’t ignore the importance of the early morning hours in spiritual warfare.
Firstly, the scriptures give an account of how Jesus appeared to His disciples walking on the water at the fourth watch of the night. Jews have four watches of the night. The first watch is from 6.00pm, the second from 9.00pm, the third from 12.00 am and the fourth from 3.00am. Jesus appeared to them at about 3.00am, while they were under the turbulent storm. “About three o’clock in the morning Jesus came toward them, walking on the water. When the disciples saw Him walking on the water, they were terrified. In their fear, they cried out, “It’s a ghost!”” (Matt 14:25-26 NLT).
They were afraid because the Jews believed only spirits or demons walk at such hours of the day. It was also a popular belief that spirits of the night brought disaster.
Secondly, in Egypt, Pharaoh and his magicians invoked demonic spirits and manipulated the laws of nature through their magic to stop the deliverance of the Israelites and to influence the minds of the people. God then told Moses to arise early in the morning to confront Pharaoh on his way to invoke the spirits. “So go to Pharaoh in the morning as he goes down to the river. Stand on the bank of the Nile and meet him there. Be sure to take along the staff that turned into a snake.” (Exo 7:15 NLT). According to our memory text, God also showed Moses how to confront Pharaoh.
If satan’s agents, the Pharaohs of our world will arise early to their power source, whether by the river, in the shrine or at the crossroads, why will a believer continue to sleep and slumber at such early hours. To wake up late in the morning is to walk in the day that has been programmed by satanic agents (Matt 13:25).
Friends, God calls you to arise early in the morning to stand against the powers of the air, lest they pollute your day. Stand firm in faith and take the sword of the Spirit to confront the powers of darkness. Raise up the standard of the Lord and declare what “God says” concerning your life, family, ministry, and work.
Prayer points
1. Father, please, make me an early riser and ignite my prayer life in Jesus’ name.
2. I refuse to sleep and slumber when I am supposed to be awake, in Jesus’ name.
Today’s declarations
1. I wake up early in the morning to stop the enemies who want to stop me.
2. God didn’t create a bad day, but we will allow the enemy to make it bad if we keep sleeping when we are to be praying.
Contact: pastor@thf.org.ng