CLOSER WALK WITH GOD (PART 2) - PERSONAL QUIET TIME (MATTHEW 14:23)

Dear Members in Christ,

Closer Walk with God (Part 2) - Personal Quiet Time (Matthew 14:23)

We were on the subject of “How to have a Closer Walk with God?” In the last article, we dealt at length about how important it is to have a Personal Daily Devotion or Quiet Time. The article also studied the passage from Matthew 14:22-23, where it was recorded that the Lord Jesus took time to be alone in order to pray. This passage has a parallel in the Gospel of Mark where it is recorded that,

“And straightway he constrained his disciples to get into the ship, and to go to the other side before unto Bethsaida, while he sent away the people. And when he had sent them away, he departed into a mountain to pray.” Mark 6:45,46

In the previous article, we studied the practice of Quiet Time and how it helps us to have a closer walk with the Lord. This is possible because the Quiet time is time spent hearing God speak to us from His word, and speaking to God in our prayer. In a nutshell, Quiet Time benefits us because it is a time of communion with God. We are refreshed spiritually, and we are recharged by the offering up of our petitions before we take on the challenges and trials of the day.

In today’s article, we shall examine the biblical principles of having a quiet time, by looking at the example of an Old Testament saint. As we have mentioned, there was a seminar discussion by groups about the common excuses for not having a consistent quiet time. Thus, we will share the discussion content by the seminar participants. The discussion centers around the ways in which we can overcome common excuses and hindrances encountered by Christians in their quest for a consistent practice of their daily devotional quiet time.

A. The principles of Quiet Time

The passage Matthew 14:22-23 is an example of an instance where the Lord Jesus spent time alone to pray. The above passage in the Gospel of Mark gives us the parallel, where the Lord Jesus sent away the multitudes. This account is recorded for a purpose, the act of sending away the multitudes (which the Lord Jesus had been busy healing, feeding and preaching) is a deliberate act of putting away the toil of the ministry in order to be alone with God. Now there is another example given in the Old Testament which is that of the prophet Daniel. 

“Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime. Then these men assembled, and found Daniel praying and making supplication before his God.” Daniel 6:10,11

Daniel the prophet heard the distressing news of the prohibition to pray to anyone other than the pagan king. He withdrew to the privacy of his chamber. From this passage, we find three important aspects of Daniel’s prayer and devotion. Firstly, he sought God. The practice of facing Jerusalem in prayer has its roots in the prayer Solomon prayed when he completed the temple of God in Jerusalem.

“If they return to thee with all their heart and with all their soul in the land of their captivity, whither they have carried them captives, and pray toward their land, which thou gavest unto their fathers, and toward the city which thou hast chosen, and toward the house which I have built for thy name.” 2 Chronicles 6:38

The supplicant praying to Jerusalem is seeking God’s blessings. Secondly, Daniel sought God frequently and consistently. The Bible says “as he did aforetime”, meaning that David was habitual and consistent in his devotional. Dearly beloved, devotional time with God is something every Christian must practice consistently and often. Pray for a spirit of perseverance and joy in seeking God in our quiet time.

B. How to overcome common hindrances to having a consistent Quiet Time 

Christians will often find themselves facing hindrances when we attempt to be consistent in our devotional time. Some may have questions regarding the timing and practice of doing Quiet Time. For example, when is the best time for devotion, morning or evening? Or, if I have to leave the house early every morning, can I do my quiet time at my workplace, for instance?

At the end of the seminar, we had a time of feedback and sharing from the various groups participating in the workshop. Below is a summary of the various challenges, and the respective practical solutions which should help Christians wishing to be disciplined and consistent in Quiet Time. 

• Difficulty in giving priority to Quiet Time, or in some instances “unable to wake up early enough”.  

Solution:

Be determined and set a priority. If possible, do Quiet Time before anything else.

• Distraction by Social Media apps and also electronic devices. Plain tiredness at the day’s end or just plain laziness, and the usual excuse “too busy”. 

Solution:

Exercise discipline, practice good time management, be consistent and do it as a family.

• Not giving priority to Quiet Time, general surrounding distractions.  

Solution:

Importance of setting a fixed time and setting a regular place, make Quiet Time a daily habit. Maintain close walk with God.

Beloved, these are practice tips shared by those participating in the workshop. Of course, devotion and Quiet time is a spiritual exercise, and spiritual preparation is of great importance. Pray that God’s Holy Spirit will aid us in making Quiet Time our consistent and disciplined daily habit. May God help us. Amen. 

In His Service,
Rev. Lim Seh Beng, Pastor