Keeping Your Appointments With God

“Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house, and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did formerly" - Daniels 6:10 
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Daniel prayed and gave thanks before God every day at the same time, which was what he had done since the days of his youth. There would be nothing that could have stood in his way to prevent him from keeping this time he had set aside for spending with God. 

Daniel was placed as head over all the presidents and princes of the kingdom because of his wisdom and integrity. This caused a spirit of jealousy to rise among those of whom Daniel presided over. So they began plotting to prevent Daniel's appointment to the office he was placed in by the king. 

A Plot To Prevent Prayer Time 

A group of the king’s advisers knew about Daniel’s prayer habit, and plotted to use it against him, because they were angry and jealous that the king was considering giving Daniel political power, which would put him at a higher rank over them. With a hidden agenda of their own, they influenced the king to pass a law that would put to death anyone who prayed to any god or man other than the king himself. 

Yet, despite the newly passed law, and the danger that would come to anyone who disregarded the law, Daniel kept his appointment with God. He would not let fear or the plot of an enemy prevent him from doing what he was accustomed to doing - he stayed consistent - nothing changed. He didn’t change the amount of times he prayed during the day, the time or place where he prayed, neither did he use his circumstance as an excuse to cancel his appointment with God.  

Cancelling Appointments With God 

Most believers today are occupied with so many things that they do not have any time to spend with God, while others may begin the day with the intent to spend time with God, but as the day becomes hectic and demanding, they find themselves postponing their time with God until tomorrow - yet again.   

We all have had times when interruptions keep coming one after another, to draw our attention away from spending time with God. But, as it is important to keep other appointments in life, it is just as important to keep our appointments with God. When an athlete says "yes" he will compete in the Olympics, he is saying "no" to any distraction that may come to draw him away from preparing to perform his best. In the same way, when you seriously set up a regulated time to spend with God, you are adamantly saying "nothing else can be scheduled during this time, because this is my time with God." This requires focus and discipline. 

If by chance you should miss your appointment with God, find other ways to meet with Him. For example, out of a thirty to one hour lunch break, you can take five minutes to spend with God. The more you do this, the more time you will want to sacrifice to spend with God.  

Regardless of how busy your days are, don't cancel your appointments with God. Make him a priority. Don’t let anything or anybody get in the way of the most important relationship in your life.  
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Copyright © Gale Wilcox. All rights reserved.
Unless otherwise indicated, all scripture passages quoted are taken from the King James Version of the Bible.