How is your devotion time with God?
As I reflect on my devotional time with God in 2023, I remember how God used the books of 1st and 2nd Kings to speak to me over and over again. There were times when I would linger on the same passage for many days (sometimes even weeks!), trying to discern the voice of God speaking through it. I learnt to tarry in His presence and wait for His progressive revelation. Those were memorable moments indeed!
Nevertheless, I admit that there were also seasons when I neglected my devotional time with God. I succumbed to the tyranny of the urgent and found myself busy at work, putting aside my time with the Lord time and time again.
On the contrary, Martin Luther, the great reformer, felt that as his life became more hectic, he needed to guard his time with the Lord even more! He remarked: “I have so much to do today that I dare not neglect my time with God.”
In the same way, missionary martyr Jim Elliot added more solitude time with God in a day to help him stay sensitive to God’s presence when his life at Wheaton college grew busier.
Recently, sister Kelly shared an interesting research report with the staff in the church office. The Lifeway report polled 40,000 people ages 8 to 80 on their engagement in Scripture. The study showed that when people engaged in the Scripture only once a week (eg. going to church to listen to a sermon), there was negligible effect on their lives. The effect remains to be negligible when Bible engagement is increased to three times a week.
However, when Bible engagement is increased to four times a week, it begins to show significant impact upon the lives of the readers. The findings included the following:
Feeling lonely drops 30%
Anger issues drop 32%
Bitterness in relationships drops 40%
Alcoholism drops 57%
Sex outside of marriage drops 68%
Feeling spiritually stagnant drops 60%
Viewing pornography drops 61%
Sharing your faith jumps 200%
Discipling others jumps 230%
The research shows that “the more Christians read or listen to the Scriptures at least four times a week, the bolder they will be in sharing their faith and growing in their faith. Their lives will begin to have a profound impact on those immediately around them. There will also be fewer times of stagnation in their spiritual growth. They will become viral in their faith.”[1]
In 2024, I commit myself afresh to spending regular devotional time with God (yes, at least 4 times a week!) This is my love discipline to help me grow in devotion to Christ. I will be watchful of my busy moments. I will make sure that time set aside to read His Word and pray would not be replaced by work and ministry. For how can I expect myself to bear much fruit if I am not abiding in Christ and drawing from the vine on a regular basis?
Will you join me to guard your devotion time with God in 2024?
[1] https://research.lifeway.com/2021/01/20/9-tangible-benefits-of-bible-reading-for-your-church/