Gems of Knowledge

Today’s One Year Bible Verses: Job 28:1–30:31, 2 Corinthians 2:12–17, Psalm 42:1–11, Proverbs 22:7

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Take Time In The Spirit

We can spend a lot of time doing things for God without spending time simply being with Him.

We serve, work, pray over, study Scripture, help people, fulfill responsibilities, and try to live faithfully. All of those things can honor Him. But if we’re not careful, our relationship with God can slowly become centered around what we’re doing rather than the One we’re doing it for.

I have felt a sense of distance lately, even in my duties. I faithfully show us to serve Him every day, but do I faithfully show up to just love Him and spend time getting to know Him better?

Today the Lord reminded me,

“Do all things unto the Lord. Take time to be with Me in the Spirit and you will know Me more. Amen.”

There are really two invitations here, and they belong together.

The first is to do all things unto the Lord. Scripture tells us, “Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people” (Colossians 3:23, NLT).

That means our ordinary lives can become worship. We don’t have to separate our time into “God things” and “everything else.” Cooking dinner, going to work, caring for our families, running errands, serving someone, writing, cleaning, creating—whatever is before us can be offered to Him when our heart says, Lord, I’m doing this with You and for You.

But there is another part of relationship that cannot be replaced by service.

We need time with Him.

Psalm 42 gives us one of the most beautiful pictures of this longing:

“As the deer longs for streams of water, so I long for you, O God. I thirst for God, the living God.” (Psalm 42:1–2, NLT)

Notice what the psalmist thirsts for. He doesn’t say, I thirst for answers. I thirst for blessing. I thirst for direction.

“I thirst for God.”

There is a difference between seeking God because we need something from Him and seeking Him because we want Him.

Of course, He invites us to bring Him our needs. He wants us to ask for wisdom, direction, provision, healing, and help. But imagine a relationship where someone only came to you when they needed something. You might love them deeply, but they would never really get to know you.

Knowing someone requires time together.

And that may be why the Lord specifically says, “Take time to be with Me in the Spirit and you will know Me more.”

Job wrestles with the question of knowing God in today’s reading as well. Job 28 describes mankind’s extraordinary ability to search out hidden treasures. People dig deep into the earth for silver and gold, uncovering things concealed in darkness. Yet Job asks, “But do people know where to find wisdom? Where can they find understanding?” (Job 28:12, NLT).

His conclusion is that true wisdom belongs to God.

We can search the world for understanding, but there are things about God that can only be discovered by drawing near to God Himself.

And the more time we spend with Him, the more familiar His presence becomes. We begin recognizing His character, His ways, His correction, His peace, and His leading—not because we’ve mastered some spiritual formula, but because we’ve developed relationship.

Think about someone you have loved for many years. Sometimes they don’t have to explain what they’re thinking. You recognize their expressions, their tone, their habits, and what matters to them because you’ve spent enough time together to know them.

Relationship with God develops through time too.

So yes, do everything unto the Lord. Invite Him into your work, responsibilities, conversations, creativity, and ordinary moments today.

But don’t let doing things for God replace simply being with God.

Set aside some time when you aren’t asking Him to fix anything, explain anything, or give you anything. Worship Him. Sit quietly before Him. Turn your attention toward Him and simply enjoy His presence.

The psalmist said it best:

“I thirst for God, the living God.”

May that become the desire of our hearts—not merely to know more about Him, but to know Him more. 💎

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Action (5 Minutes with God)

Take time to be with the Lord today, even if its only 5 minutes. Ask Him:

• “Lord, what do You want me to know about this personally?”
  • Journal what He gives you through His Holy Spirit.
• Then ask, “What do You want me to do?”
  • Journal what He reveals – then do it!

Put away distractions, worship Him, quiet your thoughts, and turn your attention toward Him. Don’t make the time about getting anything. Simply be with Him and taste of His goodness.

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Prayer

Dear Lord, I don’t want to become so busy doing things for You that I neglect simply being with You. I thirst for Your presence and I want to make time for You. Help me to do that each day. Help me grow so close with You that You seamlessly become part of the ordinary parts of my day. I want to be with You and do everything as unto You. As I spend time with You in the Spirit, let me know Your heart, See You more clearly, understand Your ways, and grow closer to You. I want You, Lord, more than what You can give me. I draw near unto You Lord. Please draw near unto me. In Jesus’ beautiful name I pray, amen.

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