MATINE

Psalms 119:147-148 I prevented the dawning of the morning, and cried: I hoped in thy word. (148) Mine eyes prevent the night watches, that I might meditate in thy word.

How quiet are the wee hours of the morning. What blessedness is found in waking ahead of the world’s frantic action to connect with the Lord.

To wake up when “no man can work” (John 9:4), when darkness still wraps the world with its heavy coat. To eagerly enter the temple of our heart, this is life’s climax, what we live for, what we die for: to meet with our Lord. There is no need for pompous preparations; His Temple is always ready and decorated, waiting for our arrival. There is no need for ritual cleanings; we are already cleansed in the blood of the Lamb. There is no need for a key or a doorkeeper; the door is wide open. There is no entrance fee, the price has already been paid. There is no need for a vicar or priest; we are in His presence, in a heart to heart intimacy that has yet to be imagined.

We sit at His feet, we listen to His soothing voice. The waters of the fountain of His words refresh our heart and strengthen our spirit. We drink them, splash them on our face, even bathe our whole body. We want to feel their coolness on the burning of our battle scars. We want to apply them on the sores of our wounded spirit. We want to feed our innermost being with the nutrition of their spiritual minerals.

We would stay there all day if you could, but the sun runs to its eastern course; the dawn slowly shies on the horizon. “No, not yet, please, just a little more before the world gets up, before duty calls me to the fields, Lord. Please, why can’t it be Sabbath today? I want to spend all day in the refreshing waters of your arms!” Oh, to keep the sun from rising, we wish we could, like Joshua.

The Lord looks up to us with a tender reassuring look, “You can! Give me your heart; I will fill it up with these waters like in a bottle. It will bring with you their refreshing and strengthening coolness wherever you go. Each time it pumps, it will pump it into every fiber of your soul. Take it; take it with you. Take enough for yourself, and to share with every one you meet. Tell them about the Fountain, that they too can meet me in its Temple every morning. Tell them that if they come to me, I will heal their wounds, soothe their sores and fill their empty heart with my Spirit.”

“And wherever you go, remember:

Hebrews 13:5 I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.

Mat 28:20 Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.