James S. Stewart recounts in "The Gates of New Life": "There is a Jewish legend which tells how Satan was once asked what he missed most since he had fallen from his former high estate in heaven. 'I miss most,' he answered, 'the trumpets in the morning!'" Trumpets in the morning summon the saints each day to serve our Sovereign Savior with purpose, passion and pleasure. No doubt Paul heard these trumpets each day. Let's look at two verses from his personal plans recorded in 1 Corinthians 16:5-12. We learn three things from these verses.

First, there is a duty to fulfill. 1 Corinthians 16:8 reads, "But I will tarry in Ephesus until Pentecost." You can only be in one place at a time. For Paul at this time, it was Ephesus. Each day we must report for duty. Today many believers are AWOL (absent without leave) in the Lord's service. Dereliction of duty is a serious thing. Every believer has a strategic part to play in carrying out the great commission (Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:14-18; Luke 24:44-49; John 20:19-23; Acts 1:8). In his book titled, "The Incredible Power of Kingdom Authority," Adrian Rogers shares, "We have his unfailing promise. His presence is with us, his authority is behind us, his commission is before us."

Second, there is a direction to follow. 1 Corinthians 16:9a reads, "For a great and effective door has opened to me..." The word "door" is a metaphor for opportunity. For example, in Hosea 2:15 we find "a door of hope," in Acts 14:27 we find "the door of faith," and in Colossians 4:3 we find "a door for the word." Remember, the Lord opens and closes doors, as Jesus explains to the church in Philadelphia (Revelation 3:7-8). Note this example of God closing and opening doors for Paul in Acts 16:6-8a, "Now when they had gone through Phrygia and the region of Galatia, they were forbidden by the Holy Spirit to preach the word in Asia. After they had come to Mysia, they tried to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit did not permit them. So passing by Mysia, they came down to Troas." Paul later recounts, "Furthermore, when I came to Troas to preach Christ's gospel, and a door was opened to me by the Lord" (2 Corinthians 2:12).

Third, there is a danger to face. 1 Corinthians 16:9b reads, "...and there are many adversaries." A. R. Fausset comments, "Not here false teachers, but open adversaries: both Jews and heathen. After Paul, by his now long-continued labors at Ephesus, had produced effects which threatened the interests of those whose gains were derived from idolatry, 'many adversaries' arose (Ac 19:9-23). Where great good is, there evil is sure to start up as its antagonist." O. S. Hawkins said, "I often wonder about the work of God that never causes the enemy to raise his head in opposition."

Are you daily listening for trumpets in the morning?

Dr. Franklin L. Kirksey, of Robertsdale, is the author of "Don't Miss the Revival! Messages for Revival and Spiritual Awakening from Isaiah"