The principle of having quality time with God is not unknown in Scripture. Proverbs 8:17 says, I love them that love me, and those that seek me early shall find me. To be fair to the text, it speaks about wisdom, but where else do we find wisdom but in God’s Word? The phrase seek me early is translated in some versions of the Bible as seeking me diligently. But the word translated early/diligently is sachar and is related to looking for dawn. Thus, it carries with it the connotation to look for wisdom in a timely fashion. When else is the best time to do this than early in the quiet of the morning before we face the demands of the day?
A quality quiet time is one where we take time to reflect on God’s Word. We often refer to this as daily devotions. But whatever we call it, this is a time to allow God’s Word to speak to us providing reflection and direction for our day. However, what is best to read? A chapter? Or two? There are reading plans that will take one through the Bible in one year and that is well and good and works effectively for many believers in Christ. But how much depth can one go into when reading a chapter or more? This writer found that by concentrating on one verse at a time it is possible to dig deeply into the truth God has in it for us. The following is a plan, a very simple one that has been of value to me in finding God’s marching orders for each day.
Step 1. Select a verse.
This may go against the mettle of those who want to do a systematic Bible study (and there is a place for that), but I prefer a system that picks a verse at random, at least from my point of view. Currently I use a stack of Bible promise verse cards. I pick a different one each day to meditate on. Alternately, there are websites that provide a verse of the day. These are all good ways to find a verse without me trying to fit it into any particular agenda, and because it is God’s Word, I let it speak to me.
Step 2. Read the verse alone then read it in context.
Reading the verse alone gives a first impression. Reading the context often clarifies meaning. For example, the verse, 1 John 4:18 says, There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear: because fear hath torment. He that fears is not made perfect in love. One could read this and come away with “cowards don’t go to heaven.” However, the verse before this explains what this fear is all about: By this love is perfected in us that we might have confidence in the day of judgment. OK, then verse 18 is talking about fear of God’s judgment. Verse 19 gives further illumination: We love because He first loved us.
Step 3. Look at the verse in a lexicon.
There are many online ones available. You can do a search (The site I prefer is Biblehub.org. It has several tools including a Greek and Hebrew lexicon). From the lexicon we gather added meaning from the Greek or Hebrew word and its origin. In the verse cited above we find “fear” refers to panic or flight. “Love” is God’s goodwill toward us. “Casts” means to cast out as in throwing away. And “perfect” means to be made complete.
Step 4. Pull it all together.
Now I have more to go on. 1 John 4:18 tells me I do not need to let fear of judgment cloud my day. If I do fear it is because I have not let God’s love do its work in me. God’s love casts out fear of His judgment—throws it away. I am free to trust His love for me as I go about my day.
Step 5. Pray it out.
Example: Lord, I pray for the grace to trust Your love for me wherever I go and in whatever I do today. I thank You for making me Your child and for loving me with a love that never fails.
Final thoughts:
I don’t trust my memory to keep all that I learn in my quiet time moments. A blank journal is perfect for storing my Scriptural discoveries. My norm is to fill a page each day, adding prayer requests to devotional thoughts. This is more rewarding than anything else I have found over the years. Such an approach is personal, speaking to my present circumstances. It is God’s Word and I am His child, why shouldn’t it speak to me?
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