Why are Christians encouraged to have daily devotions or quiet times?

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?

Daily devotions provide a place and time in which we can understand God better and grow in intimacy with Him (John 15:1-8). As we come to know God better, we realize that He is already intimately involved in the details of our life (Matthew 6:25-33). Spiritual disciplines like understanding God’s Word better can help us better grasp God’s true nature—most notably, His incredible love (1 John 4:8). Through dedicating a time to studying God’s word in depth, we will also be better at identifying the lies of the enemy (Psalm 119:11; 2 Timothy 3:16–17; 1 Thessalonians 5:21) and come to better understand truth that gives us freedom (John 8:32). Ultimately, Jesus desires a relationship with us (John 17:24) and spending time with Him in quiet times is a way of investing in that relationship.

FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT

• Deuteronomy 6:6-7 says of the Mosaic Law, “And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise.” For God’s word to “be on . . . [our] heart,” we need to regularly study it, and devotions are a way of doing that.
• The Psalmist indicates that God’s word is our guide in life: “Your word is a lamp to my feet / and a light to my path.” Daily devotions help familiarize us with God’s word.

FROM THE NEW TESTAMENT

• Jesus would often go “out to a desolate place, and there he prayed” (Mark 1:35). Daily devotions help us to draw closer to God.
• First John 4:8 tells us that God is love. The love of God is sometimes described as that of a father and child or of a married couple. Such intimate relationships take time to build. Spending daily devotions gives us undistracted time in which we can spiritually invest ourselves in our relationship with God through praying to Him, meditating on His many wonderful attributes, and worshiping Him.
• Daily devotions can be a time in which we focus on learning biblical truths. The more steeped we are in God’s word through regular study of it in daily devotions, the more equipped we are to defend ourselves against the "father of lies" (John 8:44; Psalm 119:11; 2 Timothy 3:16–17; 1 Thessalonians 5:21). The best way to recognize a counterfeit is to study the real thing. It is wise to set aside undistracted time in which we can truly study God’s word and come to experience the freedom that His truth can bring us (John 8:32).
• Daily devotions is a spiritual discipline that helps us get to know God and fosters a time of connection with Him (John 15:1-8).
• God desires a relationship with us. He created us and has redeemed us for this very purpose. Jesus, prior to His crucifixion, prayed, "Father, I desire that they also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory that you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world" (John 17:24).

IMPLICATIONS FOR TODAY

Common wisdom says that people’s calendars reveal their priorities. That may not be true. Calendars show events/tasks that you’re likely to forget—so the less enjoyable responsibilities and the ones that you “have to” rather than “want to” do.

By that measure, daily devotions shouldn’t be on believers’ calendars. Daily devotions are times spent each day dedicated to relating with God, usually reading the Bible, doing a Bible study, or reading a devotional book, accompanied by prayer. If we make them part of our daily routine, we don’t need to put an entry in a calendar because devotions become part of our day.

Maybe the better wisdom is that we devote time to what we value. When we spend time with God in daily devotions, we demonstrate that we value Him. When life is chaotic and confusing, God is our refuge (Psalm 46). If we desire to truly find rest and safety in God, we’ll spend undistracted time with Him. Ultimately, daily devotions function as a daily shelter in the midst of the storms of life.

UNDERSTAND

• Devotions are a spiritual discipline that is a part of worshiping God.
• Daily devotions develop knowledge of God’s Word.
• Regular devotions help believers build a relationship with the Lord.

REFLECT

• How can devotions enhance your worship of God?
• What is the best time of day for you to practice devotions?
• If you practice devotions, what kinds of content do you find most nourishing to your spiritual life?

ENGAGE

• What ares some of the benefits of daily devotions or devotional time with the Lord?
• How might bringing others into devotional times impact that spiritual practice?
• How might devotions enhance our ability to engage others about Christ?