Isaiah 62:6-65:25 / Philippians 2:19-3:3 / Psalm 73 / Proverbs 24:13-14
Our lives are filled with so many distractions. Did you know that even a devotional time can be a distraction? What do I mean by that? I spend time reading the Bible every day, and I talk to God, asking Him what He wants to show me through His Word. But I feel I don’t sit quietly listening in His presence often enough. I would love to make more time for just sitting with Him like one would with a friend. There may be conversation back and forth, and there may be times of quietly smiling at one another.
How do I know God wants this time with us? Because I’ve experienced it, and every time I’ve taken the time to sit with Him and have a conversation without all the distractions, He always shows me the most beautiful and amazing things. I’ve heard words in foreign languages that I had to look up, I’ve seen pictures that I’ve both drawn and written down to ask for more meaning, I’ve heard songs, and I’ve heard Him tell me He loves me.
Without these times, our study time would be unbalanced. There are three verses from my reading today that stood out and caused me to begin thinking this way. They are Psalm 73:25, 26 and 28. Here they are in the Passion Translation.
Whom have I in heaven but you? You’re all I want! No one on earth means as much to me as you. Lord, so many times I fail; I fall into disgrace. But when I trust in you, I have a strong and glorious presence protecting and anointing me. Forever you’re all I need!
But I’ll keep coming closer and closer to you, Lord Yahweh, for your name is good to me. I’ll keep telling the world of your awesome works, my faithful and glorious God!
As I read through those verses, I realized they will make a great prayer the next time I sit quietly with the Lord. Sometimes we are at a loss for words when sitting in the presence of Royalty, the King. However, we must also remember that this King is our Father, and He loves us beyond words. Have you ever considered asking God what is on His heart as you spend time together? He will always have an answer.
We don’t always hear His heart because we usually come into prayer with requests first. There is nothing wrong with sharing our heart and our requests with God, but we ought also to listen for Him to speak because He has amazing insight and wisdom, words of love and affirmation and many other beautiful things to tell us that will make drastic shifts in our thinking and in our daily routine.
I invite you to try it. Make an appointment to sit quietly with the Lord. Leave your phone in another room; I promise you won’t miss much while you’re separated from it. Try to remove all distractions. Practicing deep, diaphragmatic breathing will cause your mind to slow down and your ears to perk up. Breathe in slowly for 8 counts, and release for 8 counts. Do that until you notice your mind shifting into an undistracted mode. Then listen. You’re going to hear amazing things! And you’ll soon wonder why you didn’t spend time with your Father in this way sooner. May God bless your time together and may you hear life-changing words of love and affirmation.
