What does it take to come before God on a daily basis in such a way that He is glorified and we are blessed? I believe not only is it scriptural that we set aside time each day to spend with our Lord, but that scripture also shows us the best way to do so. Here are a three powerful lessons from God’s Word on how to have a better quiet time.
1. Seek Him First and Seek Him Consistently.
But (continually)seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. (Matthew 6:33 NASB)
The New American Standard Bible provides a translation of Matthew 6:33 that is very helpful. Not only are we to seek Him first and above all, we are to do so continually. In other words, we must be consistent in lifting our Lord above all else in our lives.
If we do this throughout each day then establishing a daily quiet time will be the most natural and desirable thing in the world. We will want to spend quality time with God every single day and we will crave it. It will cease to be an obligation and instead become our heart’s desire.
On the other hand, if we are not spending our time each day seeking Him first and foremost then establishing a daily quiet time is going to be that much harder. If we aren’t living for God during the hours between our quiet times then our fleshly natures are going to make it much more difficult for us to focus on Him for a time of Bible study, prayer and open communication.
2. Seek Him with Praise.
Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise. Give thanks to Him, bless His name (Psalm 100:4 NASB)
in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. (1 Thessalonians 5:18 NASB)
The Bible makes it abundantly clear that we are to come before our righteous, holy God in an attitude of thanksgiving and praise. Acknowledging God as the provider of all that we have and all that we are reminds us of our right relationship with Him: Jesus paid it all, all to Him I owe.
There is nothing that we have that God needs and yet He chooses to enter into a relationship with us because we are His most special creation and He loves us unconditionally. Where we sometimes falter in this is when we let our feelings dictate our thankfulness, or lack thereof. God understands our weakness and our circumstances but even as we are feeling badly we desperately need to call to mind all that God has done for us and all that He is doing on our behalf. We must praise Him, even when our feelings get in the way.
3. Seek Him with Honesty and Humility.
if My people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, will forgive their sin and will heal their land. (2 Chronicles 7:14)
I most often see this verse associated with corporate revival in the church. 2 Chronicles 7:14 offers a wonderful promise for a nation who will do as God asks: humble themselves, pray and seek His face and turn from their wicked ways. But the truth is that before revival can take hold in a church or a nation it must first take hold in you and me. Revival must be personal before it becomes corporate.
It is exactly the same for us in our daily quiet times. We must come before God and be honest about our sins and our shortcomings. It is only when we confess our sins and humble ourselves under the mighty hand of God that He can hear from heaven and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
It is not an understatement to say that to grow in Christ as we should, we must be willing to spend time with Him every single day. Even more than that, we need to be excited about what He is teaching us on a daily basis and willing to hear and obey the still, small voice of the Holy Spirit. It is only when we seek Him first and foremost and come before Him with thanksgiving and a humble heart that we can truly experience quiet time in God’s way and with His full blessing.