1. PREPARATION - "And be ready"
A person with a clean house does not need to clean it again but a person with a dirty house does. In the same way when we meet with God we need to be sure our heart is clean. How do we do this? (1) By sincerely asking God to forgive us our sins and (2) by asking God to speak to us and feed us through His Word as we read it and meditate on it. David once asked God to "Create in me a clean heart and renew a right spirit within me" (Psalm 51:1).

2. PRIORITY - "in the morning"
A. It is a Regular Time: Daniel had a regular time that he met with God every day (Daniel 6:10). David had a similar schedule (Psalm 55:17; Psalm 88:9). So did Ezra (Nehemiah 8:18). Job said that he valued God's word "more than my daily bread" (Job 23:12). Job's time in God's word was more important than breakfast, lunch and supper. The Bereans in Acts 17:11 are called "noble" because "They received the Word with all readiness of mind, and searched the Scriptures daily." The Biblical pattern for a healthy Christian life is to be in the Word of God on a daily basis, eating spiritual food every day.

B. It is a Definite Appointed Time: This was a definite appointment for God and Moses to meet together. The daily Quiet Time is a definite time to meet with God. When is the best time to have a Quiet Time? Any time (morning, noon or night) is better than no time at all. But probably the best time is in the morning. By meeting with God in the morning it gives you a starting point for the day. Let's look at some examples in Scripture at those who met God in the morning.

In Genesis 19:27 it says

Genesis 19:27

"And Abraham got up early in the morning to the place where he stood before the Lord."

In Psalm 5:3 David says

Psalm 5:3

"My voice will you hear in the morning, O Lord; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto you and will look up.

Then in Psalm 63:1 he continues,

Psalm 63:1

"O God, you are my God; early will I seek you."

And in Mark 1:35 talking about Jesus it says,

Mark 1:35

"And in the morning rising up a great while before day, He went out, and departed into a solitary place and there prayed."you."

As you know, my parents are missionaries. They believed that it was important for every one in our family to have a daily Quiet Time. When I was old enough to read and write dad gave me my first Quiet Time diary. In fact he made a rule, NO QUIET TIME - NO BREAKFAST. I loved breakfast so I always had my Quiet Time. I still have Quiet Time. I still eat breakfast. Maybe you need to make a rule for yourself, that even after you leave SYME you will not eat a meal for your body until first you have had your daily Quiet Time.

The Quiet Time is an appointment you have with God. If you had an appointment with the President of our country, this appointment would be important. You would not cancel this appointment. You would not arrive late for this appointment. You would not forget this appointment. Is not God greater than our President? Is not our appointment with Him even more important? We should not cancel, forget or be late for this appointment we have with God.

3. PLACE - "Mount Sinai"
A. It is a Definite Appointed Place: Genesis 19:27 tells how Abraham had a "place where he stood before the Lord." Daniel had the habit of going

Daniel 6:10

"home to his upstairs room where the windows opened toward Jerusalem"

for his Quiet Time with God. And if Jesus needed to take time out of his busy daily schedule to go to "a certain place"(Luke 11:1) and spend time with his heavenly Father, then certainly we ought to follow His steps.

B. It is a Quiet Private Place: Jesus often went to "lonely" or "solitary" places. He would go up on a mountain (Matthew 14:23; Psalm 51:1; Mark 6:46; Luke 6:12; Luke 9:28) or out into the wilderness (Luke 5:16). He would "withdraw" from people (Matthew 14:23; Luke 5:16; Luke 22:41) and go to a place where he would not be disturbed, hindered or interrupted when He spent time "alone" with God.

4. PERSON - "present yourself . . . to Me"
The purpose of a Quiet Time is to meet with and fellowship with God. We are made with a God-shaped void and have been called to fellowship with Him (1 Corinthians 1:9). God wants and seeks our fellowship (John 4:23). In Mark 3:14 Jesus chose His 12 disciples. What is the first reason He chose them? Jesus wanted these men to be "with Him." And He wants you to be with Him too. As you read the Bible and pray just enjoy the presence of God and fellowship with Him.

Exodus 34 is a passage that summarizes the topic of Quiet Time. In verse 2 God told Moses, "Be ready, in the morning and come up in the morning, unto Mount Sinai, and present yourself there to me in the top of the mount."

Notice what happened after this meeting Moses had with God. In Exodus 34:29 it says, "Moses knew not that the skin of his face shone while he talked with Him." When we spend time alone with God each day, we will grow in our Christian life, and others will see that we have been with Him.

by Steve Nicholes
LINKS TO . . . Other Bible Messages Genesis Esther Daniel Philippians James Complete Discipleship Topics