Herb Caren penned the following analogy in an article for the San Francisco Chronicle:
Every morning in Africa, a gazelle (a small antelope) wakes up. It knows it must run faster than the fastest lion or it will be killed. Every morning a lion wakes up, it knows it must outrun the fastest gazelle, or it will starve to death. It does not matter whether you are a lion or a gazelle; when the sun comes up, you'd better be running.
Oh, this is a timely warning to a child of God today! The battle cry is getting louder every day. We have an enemy, who walks about daily from morning till sunset, till morning again, seeking whom he may devour (1 peter 5:8). You've got to be on your watch and your feet every day. Every day you wake up in the morning, the gates of hell know they are in trouble. They are watching daily to see how and where they can strike you or hit you just like the lion hunts for the gazelle. No, be vigilant! Never ignore your early morning encounter with Daddy God, no matter how important your appointment with any man is. No wonder the great Charles Spurgeon of blessed memory wrote:
If you are not seeking the Lord, the devil is seeking you.
This is a battle cry! You must not wait till you are attacked. You must not be a victim! God told moses to waylay Pharaoh early in the morning (Exo 8:20).
Attack Pharaoh before he attacks you! David came early in the morning seeking His guidance and protection
- My voice You shall hear in the morning I will direct it to You, and I will look up.
Vs 8. Lead me, O LORD, In Your righteousness, because my enemies; make Your way straight before my face.
Vs 12. For You, O LORD, will bless the rigteous; with favour you will surely round him as with a shield.
(Psalm 5:3,8,12).