Today we measure success by activity and by how much one accomplishes. It is sad to say that finding time with God for steady spiritual growth is a lost priority. We find it extremely hard to look at time in terms other that projects, performance and accomplishments. Some may view time spent with God as a virtual impossibility. Such
forces at work in our world pull us into a whirlwind of activity or busyness. Inevitably we become impatient.
But King David knew his daily need of time alone with God and, though faced with trials and pressures that were pulling him other directions, he vowed in strong determination that nothing would keep him from meeting with God daily and at the beginning of his day. He vowed:
Psalm 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.
The rewards of time alone with God are often not immediately evident, and in our impatience we run to something more visibly practical. But there is a self-deception at work here as well. The negative effects of ignoring daily time alone with God are also not immediately visible.
Unless we make time alone with God a priority, the other hours devoted to our busy schedule will be poorly used. We are prone to ignore times of retreat because our work, our ministry, our families, all seem so much more important. Doing seems so much more practical than praying or meditating on the Word. But the spiritual disciplines of prayer and meditation on the Word do not constitute idleness. They are rigorous disciplines that are vital to the spiritual life.
(0712 21IX2008)