Written by Paul J Bucknell on December, 28, 2018
God’s Involvement in Our Lives
Understanding Spiritual Devotions
One of the most basic gifts from God at our salvation is a close relationship with Him. All those things that formerly made it impossible to talk to God, listen to Him and want to follow Him are effectively eliminated through Christ’s work on the cross. Spiritual devotions builds on this special relationship having believed upon the Savior, Jesus Christ, for salvation.
Although we are God’s child, His servant and part of His creation, we also are His friend (John 15:15). Just like any friend, a friendship will grow stronger as we meet regularly with one another and share at more intimate levels. Or, if we neglect talking with each other or are not totally honest with each other, the friendship will weaken.
God wants our relationship with Him to grow. He will always be waiting to meet with us. He has lots to say but is very interested in hearing what is on our own hearts. He wants us to speak to Him. This is what prayer is, a back and forth conversation with God, whether in a vocal voice or our heart’s voice in our minds.
What is important to Him, should be important to us, but the opposite is also amazingly true. What is important in our lives is also important to Him. He cares about those things that we thought we had no one to share about. God is actively involved in our lives.
Conversation with God can be awkward at first, but as we get to know God, our lifelong relationship becomes very special. It is in these “quiet” times with God that we can cry out to Him for our desperate needs, deeply thank Him for His constant love, confess our sins and pride and praise Him for wonderfully answering our prayers.
In short, a Christian can always be assured that God is nearby and wants to daily meet with us. We need to do our part by meeting with Him. Of course, having a relationship with God has its own special dynamics. For one, we can’t see Him and rarely, if ever, hear a physical voice. We need to learn how to listen to Him through His Word, the Bible.
If we pay attention to these points as a new Christian, they will make it much easier for us to grow. Start to pay attention on how His children use God’s Word to commune with Him. Watch out! These explorations into His Word take us on some very surprising journeys.
Assignment
Below are three verses upon which you are to meditate, that is, to think through what is being said, who is stating what, and the purposes it is said in this way rather than in another. Write down your observations and pray out your thoughts to God. (NASB used)
____________________
Psalms 5:3
In the morning, O LORD, Thou wilt hear my voice; In the morning I will order my prayer to Thee and eagerly watch (Psalms 5:3).
Example: Why does He say “in the morning”? What is my daily pattern?
____________________
Psalms 59:16
But as for me, I shall sing of Thy strength; Yes, I shall joyfully sing of Thy lovingkindness in the morning, For Thou hast been my stronghold, And a refuge in the day of my distress (Psalms 59:16).
____________________
Matthew 4:4
But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘MAN SHALL NOT LIVE ON BREAD ALONE, BUT ON EVERY WORD THAT PROCEEDS OUT OF THE MOUTH OF GOD.’” (Matthew 4:4)
