Wednesday Bible Blurb “A Daily Routine” 9 11 2024
Work. Work. Work. “Working nine to five what a way to make a living…nine to five for service and devotion… what a way to make a living…” (Dolly Parton, 9 to 5). The daily routine for most folks is up early, work, work, work all day and head home at night to try to relax, just to get ready for the next day, “working nine to five what a way to make a living…” Year after year we work and long for the day of retirement when we can finally relax and enjoy life before we die. Our daily routine seems to put making a living before our devotion to God. Is work all there is to life, or are we putting the cart before the horse? Put God first and relax.
Jesus came to earth and showed us how to get through our day, He put God first, then He worked. Let’s take a look at our daily schedule and see if it matches up to what God wants us to put first.
When asked what the greatest commandment is, Jesus answered “You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart with all your soul, and with all you mind.” (Matt. 22:37b [NKJV]). He put God first. When delivering the sermon on the mount and giving an example of how to pray, He started with God first. “Our Father in heaven, Hallowed by Your name.” (Matt. 5:9b). When God gave His perfect law of love, the Ten Commandments He started with, “You shall have no other gods before Me.” (Ex. 20:3). Once again, God first. Do we put God first in our daily routine or are we so focused on working nine to five that we push God into second place? Jesus, with the literal weight of the world on His shoulders always put God first, then He went to work.
Daniel served two world dominating Kingdoms as prime minister. Daniel knew all about work, politics and the corruption of a pagan empire. He probably worked more than nine to five as he navigated the evil of the day. When his contemporary governors convinced the king to command everyone to bow down to the king’s image, Daniel refused. Instead, “when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went home. And in his upper room, with his windows open toward Jerusalem, he knelt down on his knees three times a day and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as was his custom since early days.” (Dan.6:10). Daniel had a daily routine of praying to God, giving thanks (Even in times of stressful trials) and it was his custom to do so. If anyone had a reason to push God to second place and get to work it was Daniel. Instead, when push came to shove, he went home, prayed openly towards Jerusalem, three times a day as was his custom.
What is our custom when it comes to our daily routine? Do we put God first every day, all day, all the time? Daniel made the time to put God first, even while serving in the king’s court. Daniel made God his personal number one priority. Daniel had every reason to go to work when the king called but instead, Daniel put God first in his daily routine, as was his custom. We should be putting God first in our daily routine and making it our custom. It takes time and effort and planning ahead to put God first, every day, all day long. Would the following example of a daily routine in putting God first fit our lifestyle?
Rise at 6 A.M. Prepare breakfast, shower, prepare for the day.
7 A.M. to 8:30 Prayer and study.
Some suggestions to help our daily routine in our prayer. Put God first in our daily prayer life. Start with the Lord’s prayer, meditate on it, “Our Father in Heaven, Hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” (Matt. 5:9). Think about these deep meaningful GOD FIRST words of Jesus. Pray the entire Lord’s prayer with deep thought (Matt. 5:9-13). Remind ourself of Matthew 22:34-40 where Jesus puts God first and reminds us to also love our neighbor. Have we ever prayed the ten commandments and thought of their daily application to our life? Try it using Exodus 20. When it comes to our neighbor, name people by their name to God, really think of them and pray for them. Make a list, if need be, of those who need prayer and supplication. Always pray for His kingdom to come (Matt. 6:33). Pray about how one can best serve the church. Pray that Jesus be with you all day to guide and direct our actions during our daily routine. In this time of prayer and study remember to read one chapter from the Old Testament and one chapter from the New Testament each day as a part of our routine. Then choose a biblical subject and research into it. We are to grow in grace and knowledge (II Pet. 3:18), take, no make the time to do so. Turn the T.V. off!
Daniel prayed three times a day. What are we doing for lunch during our work day? Eating, or do we take a few moments to meditate on God and His ways? Do we give a silent prayer while at work or home?
Evening time comes around and we are tired. We worked all day and now it is family time. Use this time wisely to share God with our family. Read and study in the evening and make sure to communicate with God (Prayer). Make sure to make some time for relaxation.
Working nine to five, trying to make a living… Jesus put God first. Daniel put God first. In our daily routine we should put God first.
