God calls Job “blameless and upright.” That’s quite a commendation! God even brings up Job’s goodness in his discussion with Satan, saying, “Have you considered my servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, who fears God and turns away from evil?” What is it that makes Job “blameless and upright?” There are probably too many things to mention, but one thing that Job does stands out to me. Actually, this one thing seems to be the only thing about Job’s life’s routines that is described. It’s something, however, that is shared by many biblical characters. And it seems to be commended always. Did Job tithe? We don’t know. But we do know that Job had the habit of rising early in the morning to worship God. Job 1:5 says, “He would rise early in the morning and offer burnt offerings …Thus Job did continually.”
Have you ever noticed that the heroes of the Bible often met with God at daybreak to seek His leading? For example, Abraham got up very early to stand before the Lord (Gen. 19:27). Jacob woke up with the first light of the morning to worship God after having seen a vision of angels in the night (Gen. 28:18). Moses went early to meet the Lord at Sinai (Ex. 34:4). Joshua got an early start when he prepared to capture Jericho (Josh. 6:12). Gideon made his way at dawn to examine the fleece he had placed on the ground to discern Jehovah’s will (Jud. 6:38). And in the Book of Job we learn that he left his bed at an early hour to offer sacrifices to the Lord in behalf of his children. We can also glean that this was Jesus’ practice as well. Mark tells us about how Jesus would rise before the sun to have private time with the Father.
Most of the people I know commend the early riser. I’ve always been a morning person. That’s probably because of my years in the Navy when I didn’t have any choice. Therefore, for me, it’s best to follow Job’s example. I get up early and do my reading, devotion, and praying before the rest of the household is awake. It helps me start my day. I agree with David Jeremiah. He writes, “If we put prayer at the beginning of the day, it sets the tone for the day. You may not consider yourself a ‘morning person.’ But then again, you are a person, and you do have to get up in the morning. And if you begin your day by communing with your God, it will change the nature and character of your waking hours.”[1] But this is not for everyone. Max Lucado admits that he works best at night when everyone is asleep. He says, “I tried the early morning hours, which for some reason seemed more righteous—but the tow truck I needed to pull me out of bed couldn’t make it up the stairs.”[2] So, Max regularly spends his evening hours after everyone else is in bed with God. I’ve come to the conclusion that it doesn’t matter. What is important is the end comment in Job 1:5, “Thus Job did continually.” Whatever is best for us, we should make it a habit.
[1] Jeremiah, David. 1998. God in You: Releasing the Power of the Holy Spirit in Your Life. Sisters, OR: Multnomah Publishers.
[2] Lucado, Max. 1987. God Came near: Chronicles of the Christ. Portland, OR: Multnomah Press.