You, God, and Quiet Moments

“The LORD does not look at the things people look at. 

People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.”  

1 Samuel 16:7

What is the right attitude to have when you and God have your quiet moments together?  This is an interesting question.  Job's quiet time of "mourning" his existence was to lash out at God. He did not deny Him and maintained faith in Him, yet, he let God know that he did not like what was happening to Him.  Others come to their quiet time and don't see God at all. Still others find quiet moments exhilarating times when God speaks loudly and clearly from His Word.   What about for you? How do you approach your time with God in your quiet moments?

1.  Be eager to come and hear. Remember, you’re meeting with God. God has always invited and wanted man's fellowship, to "walk with Him in the Garden in the cool of the day (Gen.3:8). You should want to have a good time  with him and receive a blessing from doing so.  Acts 10:33 "Now therefore we are all here in the presence of God to hear all that you have been commanded by the Lord." 

2.  Come with reverence. Even though you are "just praying" and "just studying the bible"  don't forget that you are coming into the presence of God. You need to prepare your heart by being still before him.  Psa 46:10  "Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!" 

3. Come alert. If you made an appointment with someone to come and talk with them about something important, you would be insulted if in the process of the conversation, they fell asleep!  Jesus even talked with His disciples about this the night before his trials and crucifixion!   Psa 5:3  "O LORD, in the morning you hear my voice; in the morning I prepare a sacrifice for you and watch. 

4. Come with a heart to obey.  In the passage stated above, Acts 10:33 and Jn.4:42 these people came with a heart not only to hear what God had to say, but they came with the intent that when God spoke - they would do!  We too need to tell the Lord we have already decided we are going to say “yes.”  Mar 11:24  Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. 

Author Bruce Wilkinson states, "A moment of gratitude makes a difference in your attitude."  Have a good attitude before you when you come before God and you can expect a good result from your quiet time.  

Jim