Daily Devotional – Tuesday, October 3, 2023
Now in the morning, having risen a long while before daylight, He went out and departed to a solitary place; and there He prayed.
Mark 1:35 (NKJV)
The official ministry of Christ lasted three and a half years. This brief period was punctuated with early mornings and late nights. How, then, did Jesus remain productive amid a busy schedule?
An Action-Packed Sabbath
Mark depicts a typical day for the Messiah in the fourth chapter of his gospel. Incidentally, this is not even a normal working day, but the Sabbath. On this day, Jesus teaches in the synagogue at Capernaum and casts out demons from a man.
From the synagogue, Jesus, John, James, Andrew, and Peter head to Simon Peter’s house of lunch. Christ heals Simon’s mother-in-law, who has been down with a fever. The grateful woman serves the visitors. Will Jesus take a later afternoon nap, considering how tired He is? Not too fast!
Rejuvenated Through Prayer
“At evening, when the sun had set, they brought to Him all who were sick and those who were demon-possessed. And the whole city was gathered together at the door. Then He healed many who were sick with various diseases and cast out many demons, and He did not allow the demons to speak because they knew Him.” (Mark 1:32-34).
Mark does not tell us what time Jesus went to bed, but it must have been quite late. What time did Jesus wake up the following morning? “Now in the morning, having risen a long while before daylight, He went out and departed to a solitary place; and there He prayed.” (Mark 1:35).
How to Remain Productive Amid a Busy Schedule
Jesus remained active amid a busy schedule by spending quality time with His Father in prayer. For the believer, prayer is food for the soul. It is an opportunity for God to strengthen His servants and give them more faith and strength to continue winning souls for Him. Notice that after this prayer session, Jesus moved to other towns and continued preaching the gospel.
How often do you take a break from your busy schedule to commune with God? Do you set aside time to share with your Creator the sorrows and joys and the failures and triumphs of your day? If you want to remain sane and productive in an ever-busy world, create a special place to have quiet time with Jesus every day.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, help me to take time off my busy schedule to commune with You.
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Amen!
indeed prayers before the day starts is the foundation of a successful productive day.
Like in Swahili they say ” siku njema huonekana asubuhi” I think, “siku njema huonekana asubuhi baada ya maombi” sounds better than the former.
When our father in Heaven is the first person we speak to before the day starts, then many keys for the day’s productivity and success are given. When we start the day with prayers,like Jesus as was his custom, before everyone else is up and the noise is loud and the business of the day starts, when it’s all cool and quite, a best time to hear the voice of God speak to us,then we will arm ourselves with the strength to take us throughout the day.
That’s true, Doc. Start the day with God and you will overcome your challenges.
An interesting story contrasting the productivity of Jesus and His Disciples.
Mathew 17:14-21
…And I brought him to your disciples, and they could not heal him.’ And Jesus answered, ‘O faithless and twisted generation, how long am I to be with you? How long am I to bear with you? Bring him here to me.’ And Jesus rebuked the demon, and it came out of him, and the boy was healed instantly.”
The disciples must have tried for a long time to heal the boy, Jesus did it instantly. They were Christs employees but not becoming productive at work.
“How long am I to bear with you ” Christ asks them, they’re becoming a liability to the company.
Little did they know the secret from their boss. Having quality time before everything with God who empowers them to go through the day productively.
How much more effective would our prayer life be if we imitated Christ!
Amen
Hallelujah, Pastor. Be blessed.