And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, He went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed.
— Mark 1:35
This incident occurred after our Lord experienced a tremendous spiritual victory over Satan. He had endured the fierce onslaught of Satan in the wilderness. But after this ordeal
the angels ministered unto Him. — Mark 1:13
There is a peril in assuming that we are strong after a victory, and Jesus realized this fact.
I wonder what was the subject of the Lord’s early dawn experience in prayer?
Jesus went with such easy power through life; what did He do in those solitary moments with God? The fame of the Lord Jesus Christ grew steadily; people brought all the diseased and the demon-possessed to Him, and He delivered them.
Yet, in the midst of such a marvelous career of relieving and blessing people in need, He spent practically the whole night in prayer.
Do you realize that after eminent success in God’s work, there is more need for prayer than when we are at the foothills of a struggle for survival? The moments of victory and success are more dangerous than moments of darkness and depression.
PRAYER THOUGHT
Dear Father, may the spiritual success I experience be fortified with seasons of earnest prayer.
REFLECTION THOUGHT
Whether we are in a season of great success, or a season of great trial, just like the Lord Jesus Christ, we need to pray. We need to rely on the power of God every day of our lives to walk in sync with Him. (DEVOTIONS FOR A DEEPER LIFE by OSWALD CHAMBERS)