At the height of His earthly ministry, the Lord Jesus was in great demand. When reading the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, you read over and over again how the multitudes would come bringing the sick, disabled and tormented to Jesus. He would have compassion on the multitudes for they were “like sheep having no shepherd.” (Matthew 9: 36).
In Mark 1: 32-37, we read how Jesus spent an entire day healing the sick and delivering the demon-possessed. Verse 33 says, “And the whole city was gathered…” How did the Lord Jesus keep from “burning out?” How did the Lord Jesus keep from becoming fatigued and frustrated? The answer is in verse 35, “Now in the morning, having risen a long while before daylight, He went out and departed to a solitary place; and there He prayed.”
If the Son of God needed alone time with the Father to keep Himself refreshed and His spirit energized, how much more do you and I need to spend a daily quiet time alone with God? Think about it!
How do you have a daily time alone with God?
1. Set an Appointment with God Every Day!
Follow the example of Jesus. Get away with God and let nothing distract you. This is a special time to feed your spirit. Remember, God walked with Adam in the cool of the day in the Garden of Eden and God wants to do the same with you. (Gen. 3)
2. Pray and Ask God to Speak to You Through His Word.
James 1:5, “ If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.” NIV
3. Read a Passage of Scripture and Meditate on it.
Get on a daily Bible reading plan or take a book of the Bible and systematically read through it. Be careful not to read to large of a portion of Scripture or you might miss some wonderful truths. Instead, read a paragraph (8 to 10 verses) or one chapter at a time and then meditate on the passage and listen for God to speak to you. Psalm 46:10, “Be still, and know that I am God…” (NIV).
4. Ask these Questions
A – What can I learn about God through this passage?
S – Is there a Sin to avoid?
P – Is there a Promise to claim?
E – Is there an Example to follow?
C – Is there a command to obey?
T – Is there a Lesson to learn?
5. Praise the Lord for the Opportunity to Commune with Him.
Psalm 119:97-99, “Oh, how I love your law! I meditate on it all day long. Your commands make me wiser than my enemies, for they are ever with me. I have more insight than all my teachers, for I meditate on your statutes.” (NIV)
6. Write in a Journal what God has said to you during your Quiet Time.
Dr. Adrian Rogers used to say, “The weakest ink is better than the best memory. Study with pen in hand.” As you write in your daily journal, you will be amazed at how quickly you develop a wonderful Bible study journal that you can go back too and refresh your spirit over and over again.
