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Prioritizing Daily Time with God in a Busy Schedule

Prioritizing daily time with God, even amidst a busy schedule, is a recurring theme in biblical thought and Christian tradition, emphasizing intentional devotion and communion. The Bible acknowledges the reality of human busyness, noting that God gives humans "busyness to preoccupy them" [1] and that "God keeps him occupied with the joy of his heart" [3]. Despite this, a consistent call exists for believers to seek God earnestly and without delay.

The concept of "communion with God" is central to this prioritization. This communion is described as being with the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit [8]. It requires reconciliation and holiness, and it is promised to the obedient [8]. Saints are depicted as desiring this communion, finding it in meditation and prayer, and are encouraged to always enjoy it [8]. Biblical figures like Enoch, Noah, and Abraham are presented as exemplars of those who walked in close communion with God [8].

The Old Testament provides foundational principles for setting aside time for God. The Sabbath, for instance, was a day "set apart for the Lord" and a "gift to his people," intended for rest and worship, though given as a command due to human inclination to meet needs in their own way [12]. This highlights that dedicated time for God is not merely an obligation but a privilege, even if it must be commanded. The prophet Hosea encourages seeking God "betimes," meaning early, making it the "first and chief anxiety" [15]. Similarly, the psalmist writes, "My heart says of you, 'Seek his face!'" [4]. This urgency to seek God is contrasted with procrastination, which is condemned by Christ and avoided by saints [4]. The present is presented as "the accepted time" and "the best time" for seeking God, especially given the uncertainty of life [4].

The New Testament reinforces the importance of intentional time with God. Jesus himself, despite his "busy ministry," actively sought time to pray, as emphasized in the Gospel of Mark [14]. This example from Jesus underscores that even in demanding circumstances, setting aside specific time for prayer and communion is vital. The Apostle Paul, in his letter to the Philippians, exemplifies contentment in all circumstances, which can be seen as a disposition that enables focus on God regardless of external pressures [10].

The idea of "a time for everything" from Ecclesiastes 3:1-8, including "a time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to be silent, and a time to speak" [5], suggests that within the rhythm of life, there are appropriate moments for various activities, including spiritual devotion. One interpretation of this passage suggests that while there is a "time to get" (e.g., to earn a livelihood), there is also a "time to lose" and "a time to cast away" in charity, implying that material pursuits should not overshadow spiritual ones [13]. The commentary on this passage warns against allowing worldly cares to come "between us and Jesus Christ" [13].

A "focused commitment" is presented as an antidote to spiritual dullness, requiring both faith and endurance [11]. This commitment involves loving God and others, following the example of faithful individuals [11]. This echoes the call for a heart "fully devoted to the LORD our God, as it is this day, to walk in His statutes and to keep His commandments" [6]. Such devotion requires decision, which is necessary for the service of God and involves seeking God with the heart, keeping His commandments, and following Him fully [7].

The concept of time itself is viewed differently in a divine context; "with the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day" [2]. This perspective, while not directly addressing daily schedules, can inform the understanding that God's timing is distinct from human timing [16]. It suggests that God is not "slack" but acts according to His appointed time, which may differ from human expectations [16]. This divine perspective on time can encourage patience and trust in God's plan, even when personal schedules feel overwhelming.

Thanksgiving is also presented as a crucial aspect of daily devotion. It is commanded, considered "a good thing," and should be offered to God through Christ in all circumstances [9]. This practice of giving thanks can transform mundane moments into opportunities for communion with God, integrating spiritual practice into the fabric of daily life [9].

The historical development of Christian thought, particularly in traditions like Puritanism, has often emphasized the importance of consistent, disciplined spiritual practices. The newly ordained priests in Leviticus were "set to work immediately" after their consecration, with "not so much as one day's respite from service," to impress upon them that they were "not ordained to be idle" [17]. This illustrates a historical emphasis on immediate and continuous engagement in spiritual duties. While this passage refers to priestly duties, it reflects a broader principle of diligent service to God.

The observance of specific days, such as the Sabbath or the Christian Lord's Day, is understood not as a meritorious work but as "a holy mean appointed by the Lord for attaining the great end, holiness" [18]. This perspective suggests that setting aside particular times for worship and rest is a divinely ordained means to foster spiritual growth and devotion, rather than a legalistic burden [18]. The entire life is to belong to the Lord, but specific times are designated for focused spiritual engagement [18].

Sources

  1. Ecclesiastes “Ecclesiastes 3:10 (LEB) — I have seen the busyness God gives to ⌞humans⌟ to preoccupy them.”
  2. II Peter “II Peter 3:8 (BSB) — Beloved, do not let this one thing escape your notice: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day.”
  3. Ecclesiastes “Ecclesiastes 5:20 (BSB) — For a man seldom considers the days of his life, because God keeps him occupied with the joy of his heart.”
  4. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Procrastination — Condemned by Christ -- Lu 9:59-62. Saints avoid -- Ps 27:8; 119:60. To be avoided in Hearkening to God. -- Ps 95:7,8; Heb 3:7,8. Seeking God. -- Isa 55:6. Glorifying God. -- Jer 13:16. Keeping God's commandments. -- Ps 119:60. Making offerings to God. -- Ex 22:29. Performance of vows. -- De 23:21; Ec 5:4. Motives for avoiding The present the accepted time. -- 2Co 6:2. The present the best time. -- Ec 12:1. The uncertainty of life. -- Pr 27:1. Danger of illustrated -- Mt 5:25; Lu 13:25. Exemplified Lot. -- Ge 19:16. Felix. -- Ac 24:25.”
  5. Ecclesiastes “Ecclesiastes 3:7 (YLT) — A time to rend, And a time to sew. A time to be silent, And a time to speak.”
  6. I Kings “I Kings 8:61 (BSB) — So let your heart be fully devoted to the LORD our God, as it is this day, to walk in His statutes and to keep His commandments.””
  7. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Decision — Necessary to the service of God -- Lu 9:62. Exhortations to -- Jos 24:14,15. Exhibited in Seeking God with the heart. -- 2Ch 15:12. Keeping the commandments of God. -- Ne 10:29. Being on the Lord's side. -- Ex 32:26. Following God fully. -- Nu 14:24; 32:12; Jos 14:8. Serving God. -- Isa 56:6. Loving God perfectly. -- De 6:5. Blessedness of. -- Jos 1:7. Opposed to A divided service. -- Mt 6:24. Double-mindedness. -- Jas 1:8. Halting between two opinions. -- 1Ki 18:21. Turning to the right or left. -- De 5:32. Not setting the heart aright. -- Ps 78:8,37. Exe”
  8. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Communion With God — Is communion with the Father -- 1Jo 1:3. Is communion with the Son -- 1Co 1:9; 1Jo 1:3; Re 3:20. Is communion with the Holy Spirit -- 1Co 12:13; 2Co 13:14; Php 2:1. Reconciliation must precede -- Am 3:3. Holiness essential to -- 2Co 6:14-16. Promised to the obedient -- Joh 14:23. Saints Desire. -- Ps 42:1; Php 1:23. Have, in meditation. -- Ps 63:5,6. Have, in prayer. -- Php 4:6; Heb 4:16. Have, in the Lord's supper. -- 1Co 10:16. Should always enjoy. -- Ps 16:8; Joh 14:16-18. Exemplified Enoch. -- Ge 5:24. Noah. -- Ge 6:9. Abraham. -- Ge 18:33. J”
  9. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Thanksgiving — Christ set an example of -- Mt 11:25; 26:27; Joh 6:11; 11:41. The heavenly host engaged in -- Re 4:9; 7:11,12; 11:16,17. Commanded -- Ps 50:14; Php 4:6. Is a good thing -- Ps 92:1. Should be offered To God. -- Ps 50:14. To Christ. -- 1Ti 1:12. Through Christ. -- Ro 1:8; Col 3:17; Heb 13:15. In the name of Christ. -- Eph 5:20. In behalf of ministers. -- 2Co 1:11. In private worship. -- Da 6:10. In public worship. -- Ps 35:18. In everything. -- 1Th 5:18. Upon the completion of great undertakings. -- Ne 12:31,40. Before taking food. -- Joh 6:11; Ac 27:35.”
  10. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Contentment — With godliness is great gain -- Ps 37:16; 1Ti 6:6. Saints should exhibit In their respective callings. -- 1Co 7:20. With appointed wages. -- Lu 3:14. With what things they have. -- Heb 13:5. With food and raiment. -- 1Ti 6:8. God's promises should lead to -- Heb 13:5. The wicked want -- Isa 5:8; Ec 5:10. Exemplified Barzillai. -- 2Sa 19:33-37. Shunammite. -- 2Ki 4:13. David. -- Ps 16:6. Agur. -- Pr 30:8,9. Paul. -- Php 4:11,12.”
  11. Hebrews (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Hebrews 6:12: 6:12 A focused commitment (6:10-11) is the antidote to being spiritually dull (5:11-12). By loving God and others, we follow the example of great people of the faith. The author puts a great deal of emphasis on both faith and endurance as normal requirements for God’s people (see 11:4-38).”
  12. Exodus (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Exodus 16:21: 16:21-30 Although the Sabbath was a day set apart for the Lord (16:23), it was also the Lord’s gift to his people (16:29). Rest and worship are not meant to be an obligation, but a privilege. However, given the human determination to meet our needs in our own way, rest and worship are given as commands (16:28).”
  13. Ecclesiastes (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Ecclesiastes 3:6: time to get--for example, to gain honestly a livelihood (Eph 4:23). lose--When God wills losses to us, then is our time to be content. keep--not to give to the idle beggar (Th2 3:10). cast away--in charity (Pro 11:24); or to part with the dearest object, rather than the soul (Mar 9:43). To be careful is right in its place, but not when it comes between us and Jesus Christ (Luk 10:40-42).”
  14. Mark (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Mark 1:35: 1:35 Despite Jesus’ busy ministry, he sought time to pray (6:46; 14:32-39). Mark emphasizes the importance of prayer in Jesus’ life (cp. Luke 3:21; 6:12; 9:18, 28-29; 11:1-4; 18:1; 22:32).”
  15. Job (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Job 8:5: seek unto God betimes--early. Make it the first and chief anxiety (Psa 78:34; Hos 5:15; Isa 26:9; Pro 8:17; Pro 13:24).”
  16. 2 Peter (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on 2 Peter 3:9: We are here told that the Lord is not slack - he does not delay beyond the appointed time; as God kept the time that he had appointed for the delivering of Israel out of Egypt, to a day (Exo 12:41), so he will keep to the time appointed in coming to judge the world. What a difference is there between the account which God makes and that which men make! Good men are apt to think God stays beyond the appointed time, that is, the time which they have set for their own and the church's deliverance; but they set one time and God sets another, and he will not fail to ke”
  17. Leviticus (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Leviticus 9:1: Orders are here given for another solemnity upon the eighth day; for the newly-ordained priests were set to work immediately after the days of their consecration were finished, to let them know that they were not ordained to be idle: He that desires the office of a bishop desires a good work, which must be looked at with desire, more than the honour and benefit. The priests had not so much as one day's respite from service allowed them, that they might divert themselves, and receive the compliments of their friends upon their elevation, but were busily employed ”
  18. Galatians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Galatians 4:10: To regard the observance of certain days as in itself meritorious as a work, is alien to the free spirit of Christianity. This is not incompatible with observing the Sabbath or the Christian Lord's day as obligatory, though not as a work (which was the Jewish and Gentile error in the observance of days), but as a holy mean appointed by the Lord for attaining the great end, holiness. The whole life alike belongs to the Lord in the Gospel view, just as the whole world, and not the Jews only, belong to Him. But as in Paradise, so now one portion of tim”
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