Our theme for this month: “Change can be good for you”
Our Bible verse for today: “What no eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no human heart has conceived – God has prepared these things for those who love him. Now God has revealed these things to us by the Spirit, since the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God.” 1 Corinthians 2:9-10 (CSB)
Our thought for today: “Go deep with God”
In yesterday’s devotional I shared with you the observation from A.W. Tozer that most modern Christians are simply too busy to take the time it requires to go deep with God. I also noted that during this time of social distancing and isolation many of us have probably had some extra time that could have been spent sitting quietly with God in prayer, Bible study, and reading good Christian books. I hope that has been the case for you and I hope you will continue that practice even after the pandemic passes and life begins to return to normal.
The other day on my day off I went hiking by myself, as I often do. I went out to a wildlife refuge area in our county which offers great trails, majestic views, and lots of quiet and privacy. There’s a large rock outcrop that I often sit on as I spend some time reading. It overlooks the creek far below and provides a great view over miles and miles of treetops and rolling hills. It’s very peaceful and it’s a great place to spend quiet time with God.
On this day I brought with me one of my favorite devotional books. It’s called “Intimacy with the Almighty” by Charles Swindoll. It’s just a small book which can easily be read in a single sitting. It’s all about taking the time to go deep with God. Swindoll writes,
Deep things are intriguing. Deep jungles. Deep water. Deep caves and canyons. Deep thoughts and conversations. There is nothing like depth to make us dissatisfied with superficial, shallow things. Once we have delved below the surface and had a taste of the marvels and mysteries of the deep, we realize the value of taking the time and going to the trouble of plumbing those depths. This is especially true in the spiritual realm. God invites us to go deeper rather than to be content with surface matters.
That’s what the Apostle Paul was describing for us in 1 Corinthians 2:9-10. God wants to take us deeper into the divine mysteries, and it’s the job of the Holy Spirit to take us there. But it’s up to us to carve out the time and to place ourselves in a position before him whereby He can take us deeper.
As I noted yesterday, hopefully one of the changes we will all bring with us out of this time of social distancing and isolation is a somewhat slower lifestyle that does make time for God. There is much that God wants to show us, and much He wants us to experience. He wants to take us deeper. Will you make the time to go there with Him?
Oak Hill Baptist Church