Helps To Meditation

Choose a TIME which is free from all worldly concerns. The best time is that which will cost you something. We must not at any time seek to serve God with what costs us nothing. Nor must we dedicate any time that does not demand self-denial. We must not expect to grow in spiritual-mindedness, if we only give to God time for worship when we have nothing else to do, or those times when because of tiredness we are not fit for anything else. This is one great reason why men are so cold, formal, and lifeless in spiritual duties. When the body and mind are tired—then men think they are fit to come to God to learn about those great matters that concern His glory and the salvation of their souls. Yet this is what God condemns (Malachi 1:8). Both the law of nature and holy duties, require that we serve God with our very best. And shall we offer to Him that time in that we would be unfit to appear before an earthly ruler? Yet such are the times many choose for their devotions. We may do well to stop here for a moment and think of the time we have in the past offered to God for meditation—so that we may be shamed into doing better in the future. The best time is when the natural strength of the spirit is most free and active. Do not trust to chance opportunities. Let the time itself be a free-will offering to God taken from the top of the heap. Let it be the best time possible.