Seek God Early And Often For Connection

A group of hikers once hired an experienced mountain guide to lead them up a challenging peak. The guide explained, "The mountain is safest in the early morning. The weather is calmer, visibility is better, and we can avoid many dangers if we begin early."  The guide also instructed everyone to meet before sunrise to review important details and provide further guidance on the climbing tethers, including harnesses and ropes. Ironically, some of the hikers complained; they wanted more sleep, felt they already possessed enough knowledge about the climbing equipment, and believed they could start later.
Those hikers who followed the guide's advice operated their climbing equipment flawlessly and reached the summit safely. In contrast, those who delayed and didn't heed the guide's counsel encountered storms, poor visibility, and a much more difficult climb. It was so bad that some of the climbers had to be rescued!
Unfortunately, the hikers learned a tough lesson that day: the importance of relying on a guide.
The Scripture advises us to depend on God, who serves as our steady guide. Therefore, it is essential to seek Him early and often for a meaningful connection. A character in the Bible who exemplified this is David. He sought God early and consistently, regardless of the difficulties he faced. Before facing each day's challenges, he took time to connect with the One who would guide him through them.

Psalm 63:1-2 says, “God, you are my God; I eagerly seek you. I thirst for you; my body faints for you in a land that is dry, desolate, and without water. 2 So I gaze on you in the sanctuary to see your strength and your glory.”

Note, David wrote this while being pinned down in the wilderness of Judah, as he was on the run from his son Absalom. Second Samuel, Chapters 15 to 17, recount the family conflict that ultimately forced David from the palace into the painful desert.
Although the wilderness was dry and lacked the resources to which David was typically accustomed, he still sought God. See, when challenges come, don't run from God; run to God even more.

Charles Spurgeon once said concerning Psalm 63 and David's experience, “Learn from this, and do not say, ‘I will get into communion with God when I feel better,’ but long for communion now. It is one of the temptations of the devil to tell you not to pray when you do not feel like praying. Pray twice as much then.”

Double down in seeking God early and often, especially when you're in the wilderness.