Jeremy Sangtoki This is something that I’ve been struggling with. What are devotions even for? We’ve heard how we’ve got to read the Bible daily and meditate on His Word because this is the only way to fight against the devil’s schemes. We know all of this to be true. But it just never feels true.
I am not writing some experienced testimony but more of ‘let’s think about this together.’ I’ve recently struggled to read my devotions in the mornings or even during the day. It just seems like I don’t have enough time for it. Waking up before I need to for school seems impossible, and once I get home from school, I’m so tired and have no motivation to do anything let alone devotions—and I’ve wrestled with this for a while.
On one side, I know that I must fight against my laziness and specially set time for God. But on the other hand, I try to suppress the guilt of not doing devotions and say to myself, ‘All is fine’. I’ve tried to pray and ask God to give me the joy and desire to be motivated to read His word. But it just still seems impossible. But I’m willing to learn and take this seriously, and I hope you can, too.
The importance of devotions
Remember the Armour of God? All the pieces of armour are a metaphor for how we can defend against the schemes of the devil. As children of God, Satan will never stop attacking you in this life. You’ll be tempted and made to suffer, and it’s hard. But God has given us a great grace, the grace of His Word, which allows us to stand firm.
“…And the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.” Here in Ephesians 6:17, the Word of God is the Sword of the Spirit. Usually, a Roman soldier would use his sword to attack, fight, and parry against the enemy—the most versatile of the tools. Without the word of God, how can we stand our ground against the enemy?
The Word of God is also how God speaks to us or reveals His will for our lives. Sometimes, this may seem so far-fetched, and to be honest, it’s hard for me to grasp my head around the fact that the book that has been lying in the corner of my desk for the past few weeks can reveal to me prophecies and my ultimate way of life. It often doesn’t feel real. But that’s where it goes wrong. Oftentimes, we are too prideful to think that something or someone else can and should govern over us. Yet the Bible often rebukes us through the words we read, and it is up to us whether we turn away from it or humble our hearts to listen to His rebuking.
For it is through God’s word, that He speaks to us and reveals His character and the nature of His great plan for His people.
“I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.” (Psalm 119:11). The Word of God speaks to you; sometimes, it may not be as evident as other times, but to keep our lives holy, we need His Word. I mentioned before how our lives as Christians will be hard, with many challenges and difficulties throughout life’s journey. Yet it is in times of hardship and dire distress, we are able to remember the word of God that comforts us.
I know you may be reading this and feel like you’ve heard it before, but I urge you to think about it. Reflect on your life, and judge whether you take devotion as a priority.
Baby Steps
It’s hard. We are exposed to godly and spiritual giants who read their Bible for hours daily while also managing to wake up before the sun to meditate and study it. And sure, that is good that they ‘can’t get enough of Bible reading’. But if we take that as a standard, we will never try and even start to reach it in the first place. It’s like comparing a professional athlete who does hours and hours of training to a beginner who can only endure training for a short time.
I’m graced by God to be surrounded by many godly people in my life. And it’s almost an expectation that I’m an avid Bible reader. So, I set my standards high: reading the Bible every morning for at least 30 minutes daily. And it was never achievable. The task became a chore, leaving me no motivation to try. It took me quite a while to humbly realise that I’m still a baby learning to crawl. A baby can’t instantly learn to run before it can crawl. So, take baby steps.
Start by reading a short devotional and pondering one point that stood out. And throughout your day, just remind yourself of this one point. I’ve recently been turning to audio so I can listen while I’m on the go. But as it progresses, we will learn to love His word more and more.
I have one point to emphasise. All these efforts could be backed with a knowledge of what we are meant to do. But what is more important is the frame of heart that we hold.
“And I tell you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.” (Luke 11:9). Only when we come before Him with a heart that seeks and searches for His Word, then may His Word be revealed unto us. We must pray and ask God for His mercy, that He may give us the joy and revelation of His Word every day.
Lord, I pray that you may reveal your grace and truth to me day by day. Give me the heart that earnestly seeks your face. I realise my weakness before temptation, and I need your word to rebuke me. Please give me the joy and desire to continue to search for your word. This is my prayer.
Learn to take these steps, just baby ones for now.