This post is shared annually as an encouragement to start the New Year on solid spiritual footing.
The turning of the year naturally invites reflection and resolve. For many Christians, one of the simplest and most formative commitments is their daily quiet time with the Lord and their daily exposure to the Word of God. We are reposting this encouragement not because it is new, but because it is enduring.
Your Daily Quiet Time with the Lord
Now is the perfect time to refine or even radically transform your daily routines to ensure your essential priorities are neither crowded out nor displaced by immediate demands in the weeks and months ahead. Reading the Word of God is one of those vital daily routines because it nurtures our spiritual growth, equips us for life’s challenges, and strengthens our relationship with the Lord.
Establishing consistent and intentional private devotional habits is crucial for your growth in Christ, your spiritual well-being, and your spiritual safety.
Relying solely on regular Christian gatherings to sustain your relationship with the Lord is not enough. A vibrant spiritual life requires dedicated personal time with your Bible and intimate communion with the Lord. Without it, you risk living a shallow and unanchored Christian life, leaving yourself, alarmingly, more vulnerable to spiritual pitfalls. Prayerfully, embrace the rhythm of daily devotion.
Can Things Change?
Absolutely! While some aspects of life may be beyond your control, how you allocate your discretionary time is entirely your choice.
Do you long to experience Christ more deeply? Prepare your heart humbly and your mind purposefully to commit to regular, consistent, and consecutive daily Bible reading—a quiet time with the Lord that becomes a non-negotiable part of your day.
David expressed this in Psalm 5:3:
“My voice You shall hear in the morning, O Lord; in the morning, I will direct my prayer to You and will look up.”
The Lord’s instructions to Moses in Exodus 34:2 were specific:
“Be ready in the morning, and come up in the morning to Mount Sinai, and present yourself to Me there.”
Similarly, Hannah and her husband rose early to worship before the Lord (1 Samuel 1:19). The examples are clear: setting aside time in the morning to meet with the Lord is essential.
Christian Warfare and Daily Devotion
Christian warfare is real, and the battle rages daily. (Ephesians 6:10-18) How vulnerable we become when we rush about our day without spending time with the Lord! Morning devotion anchors us for the challenges ahead, equipping us to live victoriously.
Intentionally build structure into your day to fortify and protect you against the enemy’s attacks.
Consider Jesus the Perfect Example. Despite gruelling days of travel, preaching, and ministering, Mark 1:35 reveals His commitment:
“Now in the morning, having risen a long while before daylight, He went out and departed to a solitary place, and there He prayed.”
Motivation Matters
Why can we rise early for fishing, exams, or gym sessions but struggle to do the same for time with the Lord? The answer is motivation. When we are excited about something, it becomes easier to prioritize.
Do we share that excitement about hearing God’s voice through His Word and communing with Him in prayer? If we do, our quiet time will naturally become the most important part of our day.
When Devotion Feels Like Duty
There will be days when Bible reading feels more like a duty than a delight. Fatigue, distractions, or burdens may weigh heavily. On such days, the discipline of duty sustains us, even if the desire is lacking. This is no reason to abandon a Bible reading plan.
Plans and routines are vital for progress in every area of life. Why should our spiritual growth be any different? Sporadic and inconsistent efforts yield minimal results.
No Substitutes for Quiet Time
If you’re reading your Bible only occasionally, you’re deceiving yourself if you think you’re spiritually thriving. A personal quiet time with the Lord is irreplaceable. Just as physical nourishment sustains our bodies, daily intake of God’s Word nourishes our souls.
Get Started with a Plan
Choose a Bible reading plan and stick to it. You might print it out and keep it in your Bible. Others may enjoy reading and listening simultaneously to their daily plan by downloading a Bible app. The popular free YouVersion Bible App allows you to select a plan of your choosing (including the classic M’Cheyne Plan) in your preferred Bible version. These tools can help track progress and send reminders.
Some Christians have never read their Bible from cover to cover, even once. What a privilege it is to be able to read God’s entire Word from cover to cover in our own language. Cherish the privilege!
Fear missing days or falling behind?
Don’t let that stop you. Even partial adherence to a plan is better than none. For example, if you follow a plan faithfully for three months, you’ve still gained a great deal.
If you happen to be reading this post later in the year, don’t wait for the New Year to begin. Select a plan and start reading the Scriptures selected for that very day. What you have missed earlier in the year can be read in the upcoming year, reminding us that it is never too late to start and that the flexibility of a reading plan allows you to move forward while saturating yourself with the Word of God.
“Lord, when it comes to reading my Bible, give me a sponge-like heart that soaks up Your precious Word.”
A Christian’s Prayer for the New Year
The link at the bottom of this post provides three plans, but that is not all. Eight pieces of advice on successfully following a reading schedule are provided in the linked resource, including practical steps for what to do if you miss a day or a week of reading.
Beyond Reading: Study the Word
Daily reading is the foundation, but deeper study is equally important. Meditate on the Scriptures and let their truths transform your life.
Memorize One Bible Verse a Week – Take the Challenge
As 2 Timothy 3:16-17 (NLT) reminds us:
“All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip His people to do every good work.”
Embrace the privilege and joy of spending daily time with the Lord. Begin today—it’s a decision you will never regret.
Share in the comments section below any suggestions or tips that have helped you enjoy your alone time with the Lord each day.
Here is something that I have found helpful. When reading our Bible in our private time, read out loud. Reading out loud lets the mind absorb through two inputs, ears as well as eyes. Another benefit is that spiritual forces (angels and demons) hear the Word of God.
Amen!
Bible journaling by writing select verses from my daily plan and cross referencing helps me slow down my reading, concentrate on meaning, and memorize the Word. Just keeping it simple, adding a personal thought, or chorus from a hymn complements it and helps prepare for the day or remembering Him on Sunday. Having the pages add up helps me track progress.