I Have an Early Morning Date!

I have an early morning date and every time I remind myself that “Tomorrow is the day!” excited tingles hint of the thrill it will bring. The anticipation in these evening hours provides added incentive to finish my duties soon enough for an early bedtime. It will be dark when I rise, long before the sun wakes the morning, but seeing its rise will only add to the sacred moments.

We regularly meet together first thing every morning, my Companion and I, but tomorrow is different. Tomorrow I’m meeting Him earlier than usual and adding a few new things to our “normal routine” that I’m looking forward to. I’m letting Him know I can’t wait for our special time together and He can tell I’m filled with longing for Him.

I’m chuckling to myself as I think, “Surely He isn’t as excited about this early morning appointment as I. Is He anticipating our time together? Most assuredly He has much more important obligations and details vying for His attention. And I’m confident I’ll not be the only one seeking a few moments alone with Him tomorrow.”

What about Him? Is He longing for me? My heart wonders . . . 
 
But I know what He’s whispered to others, “I have earnestly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer” (Luke 22:15, emphasis mine). Wow, those loving words blow me away! He speaks them with full knowledge that before morning, these loved ones–those closest to His heart, will run, hide, even deny Him for fear of their lives.

Who loves like that?

He does.

My closest Companion, my constant Confidante, my Friend, my Rescuer, my Deliverer, my Sanctifier–He loves like that!

“And I will betroth you to me forever. I will betroth you to me in righteousness and in justice, in steadfast love and in mercy. I will betroth you to me in faithfulness. And you shall know the LORD.” (Hosea 2:19-20)

Betrothed to Him, hmmm . . . perhaps He is delighting in our early morning date as well!