Today, I’d want to share with you one habit that distinguishes men from boys in the kingdom. After serving under a few Christian generals, I learned that one of the routines that set them apart from the throng was their devotional time. Every Christian should have a daily devotional time. Still, there’s much to be said for being deliberate about the timing of your daily communion with God.

I was particularly intrigued by the idea that these men are used to getting up early. They have a habit of getting up early and spending time in prayer, the word, and their fellowship with God. Going through the scripture, I learned that their habit of rising early was impacted by their discovery of God’s way of dealing with His men.

In the early hours of the day, God and His men have secret and intimate conversations. These men have discovered God’s habit, and they have synchronized their schedule with His, rising early and spending time alone in His presence. Please join me as we explore the pattern of God’s interaction with men in the Bible.

• God Rises Early to Hire His Servants.

“For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire labourers for his vineyard (Matthew 20:1)

• God Rises Early to Send His Servants on Assignment.

“I have also sent to you all My servants the prophets, rising up early and sending [them], saying, ‘Turn now everyone from his evil way, amend your doings, and do not go after other gods to serve them; then you will dwell in the land which I have given you and your fathers.’ But you have not inclined your ear, nor obeyed Me. (Jeremiah 35:15)

And the LORD God of their fathers sent [warnings] to them by His messengers, rising up early and sending [them], because He had compassion on His people and on His dwelling place. (2 Chronicles36:15)

• God Rises Early to Speak to His People.

“The words of Jonadab the son of Rechab, which he commanded his sons, not to drink wine, are performed; for to this day, they drink none and obey their father’s commandment. But although I have spoken to you, rising early and speaking, you did not obey Me. (Jeremiah 35:14)

“From the thirteenth year of Josiah the son of Amon, king of Judah, even to this day, this [is] the twenty-third year in which the word of the LORD has come to me; and I have spoken to you, rising early and speaking, but you have not listened. (Jeremiah 25:3)

• God Rises Early to Teach His servants.

‘And they have turned to Me the back, and not the face; though I taught them, rising up early and teaching [them], yet they have not listened to receive instruction. (Jeremiah.32:33)

• God Rises Early to Exhort His people.

‘For I earnestly exhorted your fathers in the day, I brought them up out of the land of Egypt, until this day, rising early and exhorting, saying, “Obey My voice.”(Jeremiah 11:7)

Rising early to pursue God shows the value you place on your relationship with Him, His assignment in your hands, and your love for Him. This is one habit that distinguishes men from boys in the Kingdom.

If you are serious about running an errand for God, and you want to be refreshed on the issues of your calling, and desire to be taught, so that you can teach others, then get up early and catch up with God at the altar of prayer and the word.