ODJ: enjoying times with God

August 13, 2015 

READ: Psalm 119:97-104 

Oh, how I love your instructions! I think about them all day long (v.97).

Day 7. The alarm clock buzzes; it is morning again. I roll over and hit the snooze button, not ready to get out of bed yet. My spirit cries out for nourishment; my body appeals for more sleep. I’m still struggling to have regular quiet time with God.

This is Nic’s story, and it’s not unique. Many of us struggle to spend consistent time with God. So, congratulations! You’re reading this devotional article today, and that’s a good thing. But I hope you’ll hear God speak to you through His Word.

The psalmist exclaims of God and His Word, “Oh, how I love your instructions! I think about them all day long” (Psalm 119:97, italics added). For him, reading God’s Word was more than just a thing to do in the morning or evening for a few minutes. He pondered the Scriptures all day long. This is because he recognised God’s Word as much more than simply thoughts written down by human authors. Speaking to God, he recognised that they were His “instructions”, “laws”, “commandments” and “regulations” (vv.97-102). That’s a great way to start our quiet times with God—worshipping Him, praying for His wisdom and then allowing Him to teach, rebuke, correct and train us through His Word. Then, like the psalmist, we can say, “You have taught me well” (v.102).

As the psalmist experienced the wisdom of Scripture, he also discovered insights and gained wisdom (vv.98-99). He tasted the sweetness of God’s Word and longed for more.

—Poh Fang Chia

365-day-plan: Luke 14:15-35