Early in the day!
For the most part, the culture here in the United States has changed dramatically. With the advent of shift work, people have different sleep patterns. While it was once common for people to go to bed with the sun and wake up with the chickens, now people are programmed by their alarm clock. Routines vary so much and fluctuate with most, that it is really difficult to establish a definite time to do the things that we would most like to do. We sure have come a long way from the farming lifestyle!
(Psalms 63:1) A psalm of David, when he was in the wilderness of Judah. “Oh God, my God, it is you; at dawn I will look for you; my soul thirsts for you, my flesh yearns for you in a dry and arid land, where there is no water”; (VR)
No matter our geographical position, or the work hours we put in, we must seek the Lord Jesus EARLY in our day! If our day starts at 9:00 am, then we need to be alone with the Lord right away. If it’s 9:00 pm, then we should do the same! We are usually at our best in the early hours of our day. It is crucial to have a clear mind and bathe it in God’s Word before pressing problems befall us.
(John 17:17) “Sanctify them by your truth: your word is truth.” (VR)
There are several things that we should do when we are alone with our Lord in our quiet time. One thing we must seek is to worship and adore our KING! There is nothing as satisfying as praising God and thanking him for who he is. Many times I find that I thank him for what he has done for ME. That’s all very well, but whether or not I receive anything from Him… He is worthy of my praise!
(1 John 1:7-10) “But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word does not It’s in us.” (VR)
The old-fashioned “fessin time” is also needed. Certainly we should seek the Lord’s forgiveness immediately when we sin. It is not necessary to wait until our devotional time to confess. Do it when God speaks to you… at that moment! That’s so much better than waiting hours for your next devotional break.
(1 Timothy 4:15-16) “Meditate on these things; give yourself completely to them, so that your benefit may be manifest to all. Be careful of yourself and of the doctrine; persevere in them; save yourself and others.” they hear you.” (VR)
The reading of the Bible and the absorption that you incur during your devotions is crucial for your spiritual growth. It often sets the course for your day. For example, just yesterday, I didn’t have my devotions like I normally do, and I didn’t read my Bible until later in the day. Needless to say, I paid dearly for it. In fact, this instance is what prompted me to write this post. Reading just to read is not the point. The Bible is more than words on a page. Devour the BOOK! Reflect on the portions of Scripture you are examining. Memorizing them will help you in many ways; especially when temptation arises.
(Psalms 91:1) “He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will dwell in the shadow of the Almighty.” (VR)
(Matthew 6:6) “But you, when you pray, go into your closet, and shut the door, pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees in secret will reward you in public.” (VR)
Prayer time is vital to an empowering experience with our Lord. When was the last time you were physically the only one in the room, but the room filled up? In his sermon on the mount, as we call it, Jesus referred to the prayer room. In other words, the place we frequent. Like most men, I often visit the refrigerator. Yet how often do we see the importance of stepping aside to converse with the Sovereign God of the universe.
“Prayer must be the key of the day and the lock of the night.” -Fuller
Suffice it to say that we need to seek the Lord Jesus Christ EARLY IN THE DAY! Give God the best part of your day, not the leftovers. I can assure you that He is more interested in meeting you at your altar than you think. Will you keep your private time with God? Will it establish Christ as pre-eminent in his DAY, LIFE and CAREER? One way to do that is by practicing what has been passed down here in this post!