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God is calling to us, “Come closer”
Reading: Colossians 4:2-18
Scripture
Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. Colossians 4:2 NIV
Observations
The word “devote” is full of meaning. To devote something is to “set it apart” or dedicate it to a particular purpose. And what am I to set apart and dedicate? Myself. To prayer.
Just as people or things in old testament times were “consecrated” or set apart for holy purposes, I am to consecrate or set apart myself for this holy pursuit: That I might continually converse with and pursue God.
I like the way the NKJV translates the verse. It says I am to “Continue earnestly in prayer…” The Greek word being translated as “Devote yourself” and “Continue earnestly in” is “proskatereo”:
Proskatereo: To be earnest towards, i.e. (to a thing) to persevere, be constantly diligent, or (to a person) to adhere closely to (as one who serves):–attend (give self) continually (upon), continue (in, with), wait on (continually).
Application
Even as I read this definition, I feel a hunger rising within me to reach out to God in prayer. The word “continually” implies that even in the normal activities of my day, my thoughts can be turned towards God.
But more than that, there is a hunger to spend dedicated time with God – to find a place of solitude and soak in his presence; to escape awhile the distractions of the day and enjoy walking and talking with my God.
This call to pray, and to dedicate myself anew to prayer, is one I can't ignore. God is calling, saying, “Come closer. Reach out to me. Drink in my words and search the depths of my love. Delight in me, and I will satisfy the desires of your heart.”
Prayer
Lord God, I dedicate myself anew to seeking you in prayer. I am hungry. I want to come closer, and to know you more deeply. I want time with you to be at the centre of my life, not at the periphery. Please draw me closer, and let me commune with you here on earth as Jesus did, that I might enjoy your presence with me forever.
See also one of my favourite SOAPs, Sneaking Off With God.
Faith Bursting into Life
Reading: Joshua 21 and 22
Scripture
But be very careful to keep the commandment and the law that Moses the servant of the Lord gave you: to love the Lord your God, to walk in all his ways, to obey his commands, to hold fast to him and to serve him with all your heart and all your soul.” Joshua 22:5 (NIV)
Observations
As I read those words, I feel something leap inside of me. “Yes! That's what I want Lord! To love you, to walk in all your ways, to obey your commands, to hold fast to you, and to serve you with all my heart and all of my soul! All those things – they are the desire of my heart.”
Application
To love, to walk, to obey, to hold, and to serve – these are all verbs, “doing” words, the out-working of my inner faith. Without that faith, my efforts would be like branches on a hollow tree, sooner or later rotting and falling off. Without God's ongoing gift of faith to me, that's all I would be – a hollow tree.
But I am not a hollow tree. I am an “oak of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendour.” (Isaiah 61:3) There is an inner strength in me based not on my own virtue but on that of Jesus. How wonderful was that divine exchange that happened at the cross! Not only am I renewed and restored, but the Holy Spirit has come to live in me!
Now, as I love and walk and obey and hold and serve, I do so with the enabling power of the Spirit. He is willing me on! It's as if my faith is bursting into life. No wonder my heart leaps at the opportunity to express my love for God. He is truly the heart and strength of my life.
Prayer
I delight greatly in the Lord; my soul rejoices in my God. For he has clothed me with garments of salvation and arrayed me in a robe of righteousness… Isaiah 61:10
The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to him in song. The Lord is the strength of his people, a fortress of salvation for his anointed one. Save your people and bless your inheritance; be their shepherd and carry them forever. Psalm 28:7-9
See also, Surprise! It's Righteousness!
Tuning In With God
Reading: Mark 13
Scripture
“Therefore keep watch because you do not know when the owner of the house will come back—whether in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or at dawn. If he comes suddenly, do not let him find you sleeping. What I say to you, I say to everyone: ‘Watch!’ ” Mark 13:35-37 (NIV)
Observations
Jesus is clearly concerned that some of us who have committed out lives to him will somehow be lost because we have “gone to sleep”. Even Jesus doesn't know the exact time of his return, but his warning suggests it could catch us by surprise if we are not watching.
Application
There is a certain amount of self discipline I require to maintain my relationship with Jesus. I need the Holy Spirit to help me, but I need to consciously “tune in” with him as often as I can think of it.
Daniel had a habit of tuning in with God three times every day. “Three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God.” Daniel 6:10 I like this idea. I'm sure Daniel tuned in more often than three times a day, but by making these three times a part of his daily routine he safeguarded himself from “going to sleep” in his faith and remained alert, ready and available to serve his God.
How can I make purposeful “tuning in with God” a greater part of my daily routine? I already enjoy my morning 'snooze time' conversation with God before I get up. Perhaps I could tune in again when I clean my teeth, then with a 5-10 minute lunchtime walk, and in the evening with my “sneaking off with God” time. A short prayer template might be helpful to remind me to give thanks, to listen to God and to ask him for what I need.
Prayer
Jesus, I want to be ready and available to you every moment of the day and night. I know I sometimes get lost in my own thoughts, and might at times be oblivious to your Spirit prompting me, so please help me Holy Spirit to tune in. I want to truly know what it means to “Be joyful always, to pray continually, and to give thanks in all circumstances, knowing that this is (your) will for me in Christ Jesus.” (from 1Thess 5:16-18)
Sneaking Off With God... 