Craig Clouston

 

Early

June 13

I love those who love me, and those who seek me early and diligently shall find me.

Proverbs 8:17 Amplified

“I don’t think it really matters,” Ariella said. “God just wants you just spend time with Him.”

“I don’t totally disagree, Ari.” David said. “He wants us to spend time with Him. It’s the time doesn’t matter part I disagree with, and I’ll tell you why,” he said, leafing through his Comparative Study Bible.

While he was doing that, Ariella asked, “Why is timing so important,” wondering if David could produce proof for his conviction that the first part of the day was when God most wanted to talk with her.

David found the verse he’d been looking for, “Okay. Here’s part of where I base my reasoning,” he said, and began reading from the eighth chapter of Proverbs, verse seventeen, of the Amplified translation, “‘I love those who love me, and those who seek me early and diligently shall find me,’” he finished, placing emphasis on the second part of the verse. “I believe Solomon is clearly saying the first part of our day is the best time to spend with God.”

“Maybe,” Ariella said, not totally convinced. “I still say it’s a personal preference kinda thing.”

“I’m not judging, Ari,” David said. “I’m just answering your question. Remember, you did ask…”

†

In today’s text God clearly says that it’s best to seek Him early, in the first part of our day. And if we’re serious about getting to know and learning how to interact with Him, then seeking Him early, before our thoughts become cluttered with worldly things, is simply the best way to achieve our goal.

However, God will not hold it against us if we chose not to meet with Him until our heads hit the pillow at night; nor will He be angry if we spend little to no time with Him at all. You see, this verse is not about God’s judgment for not seeking Him early and often… No, it’s more of an indicator of what we expect out of the relationship by what we put in.

Prayer

“I want to find the deepest parts of You, Lord. So I commit to giving You the first part of my day. Show me that this really makes a difference. Amen.”