Our relationship with God is the most important thing we'll have in our entire life, and having God as our Father can never be compared to anything else in this world. Many can attest that having a relationship with a rich or famous person is not as important as having a growing, healthy relationship with a loving spouse, but the Bible attests that having a relationship with God is even greater than a blessed marriage.
David said of God's love in Psalm 63, "Because Your lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise You. Thus I will bless You while I live; I will lift up my hands in Your name. My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness, and my mouth shall praise You with joyful lips." Truly, the love of God is better than life itself, and because of this, our relationship with God should be given more importance than any other pursuit we could ever have.
Still not convinced? Here are some reasons why you should focus on developing your devotions with God.
1) Your daily devotions are your primary way of growing closer to the Lord
Reading and obeying the Bible and praying to the Lord are the two most important disciplines that we will ever have in our entire life. Through reading the Bible and obeying it, we get to know God and show Him our love for Him (see John 14:15). Through prayer, we get to talk to and converse with our God (see Matthew 6:6).
Just like any relationship, communication is key. When we pray, we lay down our hearts before the Lord. We open ourselves to Him and are making ourselves available for Him. When we read the Bible, God speaks to us – that's why it is called the "Word of God."
Other disciplines cannot develop our relationship with God. We should never replace personal quiet times with the Lord with any other "spiritual discipline." Bible reading, praying in the Spirit and personal worship times are still the most basic but foundational disciplines that will build us up in the Lord. (see Romans 8:26; Ephesians 6:18)
2) Your daily devotions will provide you with spiritual nourishment
Have you ever tried engaging yourself in any physical activity without any form of nourishment whatsoever? If so, then you know how important it is to spend time with the Lord in prayer and Bible reading, because that's where we get our spiritual nourishment.
There are no other sources of spiritual nourishment for a Christian (see John 15, 12:46). Those who do not rely on the Word of God and prayer will be unable to build strong foundations and will be likely to fall into deception.
3) It's what the great men and women of God do
The Bible presents us with people who became close to the Lord through a love for Scripture and prayer times. The Lord Jesus spent much time with His Father daily. David enjoyed God's presence while guarding sheep. Abraham built altars or prayer wherever he goes. Even the prophet Anna spent her entire life as a widow praying and waiting for the Christ to show up (see Luke 2:36-38).
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