The words “wake before dawn” are about the posture or attitude Christians are to assume in the world. We live at the intersection of two kingdoms—darkness and light. The kingdom of darkness has not yet passed away, and the kingdom of light has not yet fully arrived. We are as people who are wakened from the slumber of night and compelled to action while others are still sleeping.

Here are some of the first words I wrote on the topic, several years ago:

Long before sunrise, a light pierces the darkness, anticipating daybreak in God’s new creation. The ones who wake before dawn are the children of light—born out of time, citizens of the new earth.

“For you are all children of the light, children of the day. We are not of the night or of the darkness. So then let us not sleep, as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober.” (1 Thessalonians 5:5-6; ESV)

“He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?” (Micah 6:8; ESV)