The Pursuits of Personal Devotions

Previously we looked at the key to Godliness and established that ongoing personal devotions were the key to sustained spiritual growth. Through my experience, I have found that it is crucial to know your exact goals during your time with the Lord. What are you trying to achieve? How will this affect your devotions? Today I want to share the three pursuits of personal devotions that will give you razor-sharp focus and elevate your quiet time.   

To Worship God

Above all else, our chief pursuit in personal devotions is to worship God. I find that this is what most people utterly forget in their time with God. We’re so quick to jump to asking of God: “What blessing do you have for me today? How does this verse benefit my life or speak to my situation?” It’s as if you were to show up at your in-law’s house and grab the Sunday dinner to-go (I have been guilty of this).

God is seeking true worshippers who will “worship the Father in spirit and in truth” (John 4:23). He is worthy of our worship and the worship He desires is to be from the heart (spirit) and according to his works, his attributes, and his commands (truth). He holds claim over our lives and we as disciples must make room in our days to flat-out worship Him. I don’t believe this kind of worship is only reserved for the sanctuary on Sunday. Instead, the example of Abraham, Daniel, Asaph, and Jesus himself, was that they worshipped God daily; they set up altars for Him, praised Him, sang songs to Him, and devoted time to adore Him.

Our personal devotions should be first an act of worship. Even if you don’t get anything out of it or your heart doesn’t feel up for it, God is worthy of your praise.

How does this look practically? Here are some examples to help you grasp this pursuit:

• When you read of Jesus calming the storm in Mark 2:8-12, be in awe of his nature commanding power and offer worship like the disciples (Mk. 8:12).
• Look at Paul’s spontaneous outbursts of worship after considering God’s works in Romans 11:11-36 and Ephesians 3:10-11.
• Focus upon the attributes of God that are on display in the passage and respond in fearful praise.

To Know Him Further

The second pursuit to set our minds on in personal devotions is knowing God. As noted in the previous post, God has initiated communion with you through the death of his Son. Your eyes were opened, your heart was recreated, and your mind was awakened when you believed the Gospel of Christ. You now have an unbreakable bond with the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit; that means you can anticipate the privilege of knowing God deeper every day!

Charles Spurgeon once said that pursuing the knowledge of God was the “highest science, the loftiest speculation, [and] the mightiest philosophy, [that] can ever engage the attention of a child of God.” This activity is the continual desire and delight of one whose seed has been planted on good soil. The only place that God has disclosed himself for us today is in the Scriptures and so that’s where our focus should rest. As we pursue to know God through His Word, he will bless our endeavour by revealing more of Himself to us.

Keep in mind that personal devotions are not the end, but the means to the end of communing with the Triune God. In our quiet times, we want to learn more about the name, nature, and works of the one we worship. Just as we learn to love our spouse more as we get to know him or her (hopefully that’s the case), so we learn to exalt God more as we further our understanding of him. I am not describing some lifeless study of God, but a contemplation that is fueled by worship and produces worship. In the process, we respond in offering new songs of worship and new strength to walk in obedience.

So ask yourself about your own personal devotions:

• Are you learning more about God in the process?
• Is this knowledge enhancing your worship and your walk?
• How might you change up your devotional time to focus more on knowing God?

To Grow in Godliness

As worshippers who want to know God more, we will inevitably desire to be more like him. That is why our last pursuit of personal devotions is naturally personal godliness. Godliness merely means being like God in his communicable attributes. See the connection King David makes between godliness and personal devotions:

How can a young person stay on the path of purity?

   By living according to your word.

I seek you with all my heart;

   do not let me stray from your commands.

I have hidden your word in my heart

   that I might not sin against you.

(Psalm 119:9-11)

The path of purity is through the exercise of internalizing Scripture and living by it. God has promised us that his Word is all we need to grow spiritually and fulfill every ministry demand (2 Tim. 3:16-17); what a great assurance! Every time you read your Bible, believe its doctrines and apply its instruction, you are being specially equipped for all your duties as a Christian and all your life’s challenges. As you keep up this healthy habit, you will be more like Jesus Christ, which is the longing of every true believer.

So towards the end of your quiet time, ask these questions:

• How does this passage instruct, correct, rebuke, or equip me to better live for God?
• What encouragement is here for me to connect my faith to?

In summary, to worship God, to know Him more, and to grow in godliness are the core pursuits of personal devotions. Having these goals will help you make the most of your Bible reading. If you could add another pursuit, what would it be?