Read 1 Samuel 30: 1-11 & 17-19, Psalms 6, James 4:8, Matthew 6:6, Psalm 34:8
Spending time with the Lord is something that looks so simple but yet can be such a challenge in our culture. Our culture is busy as there is constantly something going on. It may seem hard to find time for the Lord. However, our encouragement to you is if you would give the Lord the time He rightly deserves and desires with you, then you will have more than enough time for everything else.
It is absolutely vital to be face to face with the Lord daily. This would mean spending time with Him alone by yourself. While small groups, prayer meetings with others and gatherings at Church are all necessary and good, the base of what you need in your life will be built upon your personal relationship with Jesus one on one. As Christians we need to be in the Word of God, praying and spending time with Him in His Presence on a daily basis. Additionally, we need to worship the Lord in our alone time. This is important. Look at David at Ziklag. When he came back to Ziklag, the Amalekites had already made a raid on the Negev and on Ziklag, and had overthrown Ziklag and burned it with fire (Ref. 1 Samuel 30:1). David was greatly distressed because the people spoke of stoning him because they were angry. The Amalekites took captive all the women and all who were in it (Ref. 1 Samuel 30:2). David knew what to do when faced with such opposition, he went to the Lord one on one. He strengthened himself in the Lord and the Lord directed him to pursue the Amalekites. Sure enough, David was victorious. The Bible has many examples of this- when people spent time with the Lord and strengthened themselves in His Presence. Also, spending time with the Lord can only benefit you as it can never be negative for your life.
The Word says in James 4:8 - “Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.” (NASB) As the days get more and more evil in this world we need to be in even more communion with the Lord. This will keep us on track, help us discern God’s will for our lives and benefit our lives us greatly.
All great victories are birthed out of the private where no one can see. This is where we resolve to never give up, to continue to press in and to work hard towards the goal. This is exactly how our Christian life should be. Your time with the Lord in private will pour out into your public life. The Word says in Matthew 6:6 “But as for you, when you pray, go into your inner room, close your door, and pray to your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you.” (NASB)
We can firmly say, that a Christian must be communion with the Lord. It is your spiritual food and drink. For some reason though, our flesh fights it. Maybe it feels hard to read the Word of God. Don’t feel condemned by that. It’s okay if it is a discipline at times. You still need to do it. We don’t always feel like reading the Bible, worshipping, or praying but we do it anyways. We push forward with the things of God regardless. When people start working out, they may not like how sore they get or how tiring it is but over time they start to look forward to working out as they see the results. This is the same way with our walk with the Lord. At times and maybe at first it isn’t so easy, but as you see the results in your life such as the fruits of the Spirit you will be blessed (Fruits of the Spirit -Ref. Galatians 5:22-23-love joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control). The more you put into your personal time with Jesus, the more you will act like Him. It is the private secret place where your soul is truly sustained. Jesus wants you, He desires you and He wants to be alone in the secret place with each individual person. We encourage you, take time in the Word, pray, worship and be in His presence. We encourage you not to just make it a checkmark for the day but make it a lasting desire to come and meet with Jesus. The more you do it the more you will desire do it. Psalm 34:8 - “Taste ad see that the Lord is good. How blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him.” (NASB)
May His Name Be Praised