We live in a society that glorifies “busyness.” We tend to fall in line with what the world says is important. Sometimes, we who are trying so hard to please God and do his work, fall into the same trap.
We put everything on a time schedule. I know we all live by the clock to some measure. We have jobs, appointments, etc. Those are things that must be a part of daily living. So much of the time the things that really matter get squeezed out or shortened.
We shorten our prayer time, our study time, our church attendance, and we tell ourselves that God will understand. Sometimes we don’t even realize how it’s affecting us until things seemingly fall apart.
We need to realize how much better we could handle everything else if we kept our priorities in order.
When was the last time you practiced Psalm 46:10 “Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth?” This verse was written in a time when Israel had been in great peril. Here they are instructed to “Be Still.” In other words, rest in God, put your total trust in him. He is in control. In Exodus 14:13b “Moses said unto the people, Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD.” Albert Barnes explained it like this: “In this place the words stand still, seems to be used as meaning that there was to be no anxiety; that there was to be a calm, confiding, trustful state of mind in view of the displays of the divine presence and power.”
How long has it been since you were hungry for his word? When was the last time you were excited to open your Bible to see what he had to say to you? When were you eager to find a nugget that could propel you to greater heights in your spiritual walk? God’s word, his statues, and laws should be valuable to us. It should be sweet to us, as it states in Psalm 19:10 “More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.” Joshua states it like this:
Joshua 1:8 “This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.”
We skip or shorten our time with God when increasing our time is what we need. I know “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble,” Psalm 46:1; and “He will never leave us or forsake us,” Hebrews 13:5, but I also know he expects obedience.
He longs for me to love him and want to be with him. When I seek him first, I find he is my rock, my joy, and I am satisfied. The only way I can feel this way is to get to know him better every day.
When was the last time you spent time with him and found a real nugget?
Will you neglect God so much that he has to chastise you to gain your attention and spend quality time with him?
Are you too busy for a real relationship with God?
