Promises to Keep

God continually blesses us with unseen gifts of love and guidance, yet what do I do for God? Several years ago, in an attempt to show my appreciation to God, I resolved to set aside a daily devotional time. I started by reading The Upper Room to my mother. She lived in another state, so for many years I called her every afternoon at four o’clock and read that day’s lesson, scripture, and prayer. After Mother died, I continued the devotions by myself, adding several good devotional books to my meditation time. I ended with a sincere prayer of thankfulness for God’s generous blessings.

One day, I had a problem forgiving someone and went to God in prayer before starting my usual devotional time. I said, “Lord, my mind is trapped by thoughts of this injustice. How can I break free?” Immediately I felt God answer, “Think about me.” So, I picked up my Upper Room and my Bible and spent some stress-free time with God. 

I like pouring my heart out to God before reading the meditation and scripture passages because I frequently perceive guidance for my own prayer issues in the daily devotions. Even when I am familiar with the scripture passage, God shows me a new perspective that gives me guidance. When I forget to do my daily devotions, I feel terrible, as if I failed to keep my promise to Almighty God. Then I remind myself that devotions are for my benefit, not God’s. God loves me with or without my commitment to daily devotions. Prayer, devotions, and scripture are important because they are our personal time with God—time when our Creator teaches and directs us according to what is best for us, just as he declared in Isaiah 48:17. Through prayer, scripture, and devotions, we grow stronger in our relationship with God. We learn to see God guiding us as we spend time with him every day.