Rom 15:6 NKJV
That you may with one mind and one mouth glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Taking timeouts for God is important in our Christian walk. We need to make timeout throughout the day from everything else that’s going on around us, in order to make some time for God. We need to turn to Him and speak to Him about further steps to be taken that are ahead of us. Most of all I think that during our timeout, we should concentrate on giving thanks to God, praising Him, giving Him honour for which He has already done and what He is working on, in our lives. When we consider our heavenly Father and His goodness, and His grace and His Mercy, and His great love, all of that will strengthen us, comfort us, admonish us and equip us with all that we need for the next steps in our life.
In the Holy Scriptures, we can read that there were so called hours of prayer, and these were quite often short times of meditation with a thankful heart, turning to God at designated hours during the day. Such times were at the beginning of the day (first hour), afterwards at the third hour, after that at noon time (6 hour) etc. During these set times people would gather either at the temple or at a different public place which was served for worship or else people took the time out at their own homes to pray, they looked for a quiet place in order to thank God and to praise Him.
Now this brings to mind, the passage where Jesus went to the mountain to pray to God for direction. He sent the crowds away, to be alone with God. He found a private place up on the mountain, and took timeout to be alone with God.
Mat 14:23 NKJV
And when He had sent the multitudes away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray. Now when evening came, He was alone there.
Mark 1:35 NKJV
Now in the morning, having risen a long while before daylight, He went out and departed to a solitary place; and there He prayed
In this day and time it’s hard to find a space in our busy life-styles to take time out and be alone with God. But we need to find that time. We need to look at our daily plan and forfeit something from it, to make that time with God. For example, you may spend 3 hours a day watching TV, try cutting it down to 2 hours a day. You may have a hobby that needs to be cut down. For example, you may play golf or practice it, 3 times a week. Cut it down, and make time for God. You will know, what you need to cut down or cut out of your life. It’s only you, who can make that decision and adjustments, in changing your life-style.
We as Christians can learn a lot from the believers of the past and from our Lord Jesus Christ. He and they took time out throughout the day, to stop whatever they were doing, to spend time with God, our Heavenly Father. Thereby remembering His greatness, His Works, His deeds, and his great goodness and love which He shows everywhere and which also is recognizable in our life. The world is going to keep you busy, but you need to choose what’s important to you and what you need to sacrifice, so that you can spend that time with God. Such a time out on meditation and thinking about God will help us. It will strengthen us and make it possible for us to take the next step for the endeavours that are in front of us with a new strength, a new courage and especially with an attitude of thankfulness.
In the book of Psalms there are some Psalms where the praising and the thankfulness of God are emphasized and is the main topic of concern.
Psalm 111:1-10 NKJV – The LORD Praised for His Goodness.
Praise the LORD! I will praise the LORD with my whole heart, In the assembly of the upright and in the congregation. The works of the LORD are great, Studied by all who have pleasure in them. His work is honorable and glorious, And His righteousness endures forever. He has made His wonderful works to be remembered; The LORD is gracious and full of compassion. He has given food to those who fear Him; He will ever be mindful of His covenant. He has declared to His people the power of His works, In giving them the heritage of the nations. The works of His hands are verity and justice; All His precepts are sure. They stand fast forever and ever, And are done in truth and uprightness. He has sent redemption to His people; He has commanded His covenant forever: Holy and awesome is His name. The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; A good understanding have all those who do His commandments. His praise endures forever.
It is important for us to note, how much God, our Heavenly Father, is at the centre of this whole Psalm. It is He who is due the praise, the thankfulness, the honour and the glory. The Psalmist is not talking about himself in what he has done for God, but rather his heart is concentrated completely on God, in what He, our Heavenly Father, has done. Great are His works, what He does is glorious and wonderful. He provides all to those who fear or reverence Him. God and His being, His works are at the centre of the concerns and are of the thoughts of the Psalmist.
There are many Psalms that one can turn to, for guidance and help, to learn and read where our ancestor’s thoughts and hearts were.
Psa 86:11-12 NKJV
Teach me Your way, O LORD; I will walk in Your truth; Unite my heart to fear Your name. I will praise You, O Lord my God, with all my heart, And I will glorify Your name forevermore.