When Should I Study?

Another challenge that keeps us away from meeting with the Lord is making it a daily priority. This is something that is going to take time, and time is hard to sacrifice in this day and age. It is easy to get up, dash into the shower, dress, and grab something to eat on our way out the door. From waking to sleeping, our days are filled with activities and deadlines. If you're a young mom, even night brings little relief in the way of rest and demands. When do we fit in time to meet with God?

Before answering this question, let's consider some scripture.

Ps. 1:2 "But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night."
Ps. 5:3 "In the morning, O Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation."
Ps. 63:6 "On my bed I remember you; I think of you through the watches of the night."
Ps. 90:14 "Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days."

Now for Jesus' example:
Mark 1:35 "Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed."
Mark 6:46-47 (After a busy day of ministry that included teaching and the feeding of the 5,000) "After leaving them, he went up on a mountainside to pray...when evening came..."
Luke 5:16 "But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed."
Luke 6:12 (Before the calling of the 12 apostles) "One of those days Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray, and spent the night praying to God."

As we survey scripture, it would appear that any time of the day is the right time to meet with the Lord, to meditate on His Word, and to go to Him in prayer. However, if you are going to think about something daily, all day long, it would seem that starting the morning by taking time to meet with God would be the most ideal. Take this question of time to the Lord in prayer. He will help you find a time and place, and will Himself provide what is necessary to carry through as you obey Him. (When I began this habit many years ago, the Lord sent my cat to wake me up every morning!) Mornings will not work best for every person, and most certainly you want to avoid a legalistic prescription. However, do remember that what may start as a begrudging habit can turn into a delight. Trust the Lord with this matter and obey what He will show you.

There are season in our lives that will affect how and when we spend time with the Lord. Young moms who have been up most of the night with a sleepless baby may not find early morning to be their best time. Yet they can most certainly be thinking of the Lord and meditating on His Word "through the watches of the night" while they are up with that wee one. It may be what helps keep them sane! When my own children were babies, I found myself most alert during the first part of their afternoon naptime. (The second half often meant a nap for me as well!) Some women make their quiet time appointment for as soon as all the kids are off to school. (Still waiting for that season in my life!) Be encouraged that if you can make time with the Lord a priority during these demanding early years with your children, you will form a spiritual discipline that will be hard to break.

When children are older, teach them how important it is for you to spend time alone with God. It is okay for them to know this is a holy and hallowed hour. Provide quiet activities and toys for them to amuse themselves when they are young, and as they grow older, Bible storybooks or their own Bible to spend time with the Lord themselves. Remember, it was my own parents' example that first motivated me toward Bible study. Now our oldest son tells us he wants to spend time with God, "just like you do, Dad and Mom." Don't underestimate your example to your children, nor feel that you are neglecting their needs.

What we can discern from Scripture is that God's Word should be our daily delight, and should be something we carry with us throughout the day. We must find a time and place to meet with Him, and make it a daily priority. We don't often skip meals, let's not skip the spiritual feast our soul needs to survive and thrive.