OBSERVE QUIET TIMES IN THE PRESENCE OF THE LORD!

 EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

SATURDAY DECEMBER 30, 2023.

SUBJECT: OBSERVE QUIET TIMES IN THE PRESENCE OF THE LORD!

Memory verse: "For thus says the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel: “In returning and rest you shall be saved: In quietness and confidence shall be your strength.” ..” (Isaiah 30 vs 15.)

READ: First Kings 19 vs 11 - 13:

19:11: Then He said, “Go out, and stand upon the mountain before the LORD.” And, behold, the LORD passed by, and a great and strong wind tore into the mountains and broke the rock in pieces before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake;

19:12: and after the earthquake a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire; and after the fire a still small voice.

19:13: So it was, when Elijah heard it, that he wrapped his face in his mantle, and went out, and stood in the entrance of the cave. Suddenly a voice came to him and said, “What do you hear, Elijah?”

INTIMATION:

Silence is the state of remaining quiet and still, and it engenders full or better concentration. God speaks to us mostly in the quietness of our hearts. And to hear Him requires our being silent, and maintain a quiet disposition for better concentration to be able to hear Him clearly. Therefore, we must seek God in times of silence. How proper for us to be quiet and honor God for His power and might. Take time each day to be silent or quiet and exalt Him. 

Quietness or silence also convey trust and confidence in God, reverently honoring Him and His power and majesty. Take time each day to be still and honor God. God works in quiet ways to bring about His long-range purposes. We should know that no amount of fast talking or hasty activity could speed up God’s grand design. We have nothing to say to God but thank you. 

Quiet time is the time you spend with God alone. This is the greatest secret of developing a close relationship with God, and the most important relationship of your life. Jesus, during His earth walk, separated Himself from everybody to have a quiet time with the Father; “Now in the morning, having risen a long while before daylight, He went out and departed to a solitary place, and their He prayed.” (Mark 1 vs 35.) He also taught His disciples to observe a quiet time with the Lord (Matthew 6 vs 6.) 

God speaks in a still small voice, such that could be heard in quietness of our hearts. Elijah knew that the sound of a still small voice belonged to God. He is often found gently whispering in the quietness of a humbled heart. God doesn’t reveal Himself only in powerful, miraculous ways. To look for God only in something big (rallies, churches, conferences, highly visible leaders) may be to miss Him. God does not need to appear in great physical events as earthquakes and fires, in order to initiate His work. His power can be concealed in a whisper. Are you listening for God? Step back from the noise and activity of your busy life and listen humbly and quietly for His guidance. It may come when you least expect it.

From the beginning of creation, God desires to associate with us in our quiet times. In the Garden of Eden, God visited Adam and Eve in the cool of the day; “And they heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God amongst the trees of the garden.” (Genesis 3 vs 8.) It was during their quiet time that they experienced the presence of God. And the greatest search and want of every human being is the presence of God.

A daily quiet time will make you have a personal relationship with the Lord. Nothing else can make you have a personal relationship with the Lord. Coming to church a thousand times is different from having a personal one to one interaction with the Lord. And it is this personal interaction with the Lord which many Christians lack. 

Many people may be working in a company, they know the name of the Managing Director, some can recognize him when he comes around, but not many has a personal relationship with him because they do not interact with him personally. It is proper for us to be still now, reverently honoring God and His power and majesty. Take time each day to be still and honor God. He works in quiet ways to bring about His long-range purposes.

Prayer: Abba Father, early will I seek You daily. My soul thirsts for You in quietness and confidence. I yearn for a personal relationship with You. May I have the privilege and honor to daily draw near to You, in Jesus’ Name I prayed. Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!