This story “Am I a God at hand, declares the Lord, and not a God far away? Can a man hide himself in secret places so that I cannot see him? declares the Lord. Do I not fill heaven and earth? declares the Lord.”
(Jeremiah 23:23-24)
It’s comforting to know that we serve a God who is a 24/7 God and not a 9-5 God. Imagine needing to speak with God and knowing that He wasn’t available until 9:00am. What would we do? He is our rock and our rock can’t talk to us or help us until the next morning! What if He took vacations and we weren’t able to reach out to Him when we needed Him? Talk about chaos!
Now, how about us? Are you a 9-5 Christian or a 24/7 Christian? Can God reach you anytime of the day or night or is it just when you have the time, which for many may not be much at all. Are you in leadership? If so, are you a 9-5 leader or a 24/7 leader? I know what you’re thinking… “I can’t be available all the time”. True but, and really examine your heart now, do you sometimes say no when you should say yes because it’s an inconvenience, you’re tired, you have plans to watch a movie, etc. I have to examine my own heart because sometimes I’m tired and the day has been stressful and I’ve not completed my own work when the call comes in to listen to someone, to be somewhere to help someone, or to simply pray. There have been times I’ve woken up during the night knowing God wants me to pray but I’m tired and I lay there and have given a half-hearted prayer only to fall asleep and hear “Get on your knees!” Yes, I slide (literally slide at times) right on to my knees and begin praying.
We need to start taking our walk with Christ more seriously because time is short and we need now more than ever to remain close to Him and listen intently because darkness in this world is closing in. All we have to do is read the paper and we can see it…more murders and violence by young people, people are becoming more angry and lashing out, compassion is falling by the way side and vengeance is coming forward, sexual immorality is rising at alarming rates. This is a time when we need to be 24/7 Christians and be on our knees praying to God and interceding for this country, this world and for our families. We need to be turning our eyes upward and calling on His name:
2 Chronicles 7:14
“If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.”
Do an inventory of yourself today and see if you are a 9-5 Christian and/or leader or a 24/7 one. Get with God and ask Him to show you where you need improvement. We all need improvement.
Lord, I humble myself before you and ask you to show me where I need to improve myself. I want to be a 24/7 Christian (or leader) and not a 9-5 one. Thank you for being a 24/7 God where I can come to you anytime of the day or night and you will be there. Thank you for being dependable and faithful. Help me to be just as dependable and faithful to You and to others. I ask it all in the name of Jesus…Amen.
