“There is harmony and consistency in all God’s works.”
By J. Lathrop
When I was a young mom I learned the value of traditions. Celebrating holidays with the same traditions year after year began to breed security in my children. They expected homemade cinnamon rolls on Christmas morning along with a handmade ornament for each of them. St. Patrick’s Day welcomed green scrambled eggs with ham and the list goes on and on. When it comes to traditions, one thing became clear to me: whatever tradition you begin, be prepared to do it the rest of your life!
This past week while in Phoenix, I stayed with my nephew and his young family. One tradition they have, which I thoroughly enjoyed, is that Dad makes a super breakfast on Sundays. I feasted on waffles, scrambled eggs, bacon, and hash browns. What a blessing it was to see a husband serve his wife in this way.
My nephew and his wife are consistent in their parenting, which was one of the hardest things I struggled with as a mom. As a parent, it’s difficult to be consistent in the daily routines and discipline of your children. As I saw last week, it does pay off. One of the numerous rewards they are reaping is peace in their home. I believe it’s because the boys are secure in what to expect of their parents. Consistency builds trust.
To feel secure is to be free from fear or apprehension of danger; to be confident of safety. Let me ask you: how secure do you feel in your relationship with God? The more consistent you are in spending time getting to know God, the greater your security will be.
When I’m consistent in reading the Word of God, praying and listening for God’s voice, then I get to know my heavenly Father better. When I know who He is, I’ll know what to expect. And when I know what to expect, I’ll feel more secure and be at peace.
Having daily quiet times with God is like adding one building block at a time. Before you know it, a foundation has been laid and the shape of a fortress is being built. Each time you read God’s Word, you are making deposits into your spiritual bank account. You may not realize how large your account has become, but when you need to make a withdrawal, you’ll be surprised at how much you have grown spiritually.
I was a believer for thirteen years before I began to be consistent in my times alone with God. The Lord motivated me by suggesting I do it first thing in the morning with a cup of coffee. (He knows I enjoy coffee!) Twenty-nine years later my daily quiet times are not only a need, but a want and a desire. What began, quite frankly, as a duty, has become an absolute delight!
If you’re struggling with spending consistent time with God then I want to encourage you to start small. Having success spending five minutes a day with Him will whet your appetite to commit to more. Ask the Holy Spirit for the grace to be consistent and to turn what may be a duty into a delight.
In closing, meditate on God’s promise in Deuteronomy 33:12. “Let the beloved of the Lord rest secure in Him, for He shields him all day long, and the one the Lord loves rests between His shoulders.” In the scheme of life, God is our only permanent form of security.
“He who fears the Lord has a secure fortress, and for his children it will be a refuge.”
Proverbs 14:26
Relevant Reflections:
Which godly habit would you like to be consistent in? Ask God for His grace to do it.
How secure are you in your relationship with God? What can you do to improve that?
How well do you know God so that you’ll know what to expect from Him, which builds your trust in Him, resulting in peace?