My husband went back to school last week after a two-month vacation. I must admit that during these months, my regular quiet time has been erratic. It’s because I don’t have to wake up very early, 4:30 AM, to prepare for his breakfast and his lunch pack. I get a chance to stay in bed a little late than my usual and start my day at around 6:30 AM. At times, I wake up late that I neglect to prioritize my quiet time. As soon as I’m up, I’m already thinking of my to-do-list for the day. I’ll do the laundry and at the same time prepare breakfast. Soon, hubby and the kids wake up and the usual craziness commences. Time spent with God would either be shortened or rushed.
Now that hubby is out of the house again (to work), I can have all the time I want for my quiet time. I got the room all to myself again. The kids are fast asleep. There’s that cool early morning breeze that perks me up. I make my coffee and settle on my favorite desk. With that warm mug in hand I sit at the Master’s feet and listen to Him speaking to me through his Word. Somehow the warmth of my morning drink calms my heart and soothes my soul as seek to know His message to me that day.
In the quietness of my heart, He reveals to me a sin I have intentionally or unintentionally committed the past days. After admitting the sin, I confess and He forgives, just like what he always says. 1 John 1:9 “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”
Whenever I’m going through a difficult time or a stressful week, I could hear him whispering in my soul beautiful promises…
Though the mountains be shaken
and the hills be removed,
yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken
nor my covenant of peace be removed,”
says the Lord, who has compassion on you. Isaiah 54:10
Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. Hebrews 4:16
When I am in doubt or about to make very tough decision, I search for his Word to guide me always. I am always in need of wisdom from the loving Father and the book of James reminds me where to find it. “if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.”
In Jeremiah 6:16 this is what the Lord says, “Stand at the crossroads, and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls.” It’s a comfort to know that whatever it is I’m dealing with presently, there are other Christians who also stood at the same crossroad. In everything that they went through, seasons of triumph or defeat, God was present in their lives and led them to a victory. I could also look at the lives of ordinary people in the Bible and how God has impacted their lives tremendously.
Time alone with God is an opportunity to ask Him anything, anything I need or want. He will never abandon us in our need, even if at times we doubt his faithfulness.
He provides food for those who fear him;
he remembers his covenant forever. Psalm 111:5
Most of the time, I ask him for this or that and he responds with a “No.” Why is that? Jesus tells us clearly in Matthew 7:9-11 “9 “Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? 10 Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? 11 If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!”
His Word is true. I have proven them in my life and in the lives of my inner circle. How can we know and trust His promises if we do not make time for Him. Even if the CEO of the entire universe, He will always have time for you and me because He wants us to know how much He loves us and to show us great and mighty things!
How about you? How has God spoken to you in your quiet time? What bible verses are you holding on to as you continue to know Him more?