Making Time for God
May 16, 2010
“All the commissioners of the kingdom, the prefects and the satraps, the high officials and the governors have consulted together that the king should establish a statute and enforce an injunction that anyone who makes a petition to any god or man besides you, O king, for thirty days, shall be cast into the lions’ den. …..Now when Daniel knew that the document was signed, he entered his house (now in his roof chamber he had windows open toward Jerusalem); and he continued kneeling on his knees three times a day, praying and giving thanks before his God, as he had been doing previously.”—- Daniel 6:7, 10
Daniel had a relationship with God, one in which he would not forsake spending time with God no matter the consequences. Daniel clearly understood that God comes first in our lives.
While in Baghdad, my son and three other soldiers were faced with a similar situation. They were forbidden to study the Bible or pray in groups without a chaplain present or face dishonorable discharge if they did. This order was made to stamp out the witchcraft movement in the military as there were no chaplains versed in witchcraft. If they obeyed the order, they were limited to worshiping God only on Sunday. Their love of the Lord required everyday time with God. Coming together was important to encourage one another in study and prayer. They chose to give up an hour of sleep to meet, to study, and to pray, willingly running the risk of punishment.
Most of us will not face such a situation. Sometimes, though, we let life get in the way of our relationship with our Father. Being tired or too busy, we do not take the time daily for prayer or to spend time in God’s word. Each one of us needs to examine his commitment to the Lord. Is God first in our lives? Are we willing to wake up an hour earlier in order to spend time with our Father both in prayer and study?
I would like to encourage each one of us to make that time a part of our life so that we can have a closer relationship with the Father.
Father, strengthen my resolve to spend time each day in Your word and in prayer to You. I am weak at times and let the things of the world get between You and me. Help me to resist the temptation to place You in second place, but to keep You in first place in my heart and life. In the name of Jesus, Amen. ─ Ed
Ed Wittlif ~ Denver, Colorado (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Ed Wittlif, former preacher of Albert Lea Church of Christ in Albert Lea, Minnesota, is a University Church of Chirst member.