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Devotion

What is devotion? We often hear that we are “doing our devotions” or we do devotions with our kids. We hear things like, “in your devotional life or when you’re doing your devotions…” But what does this mean, what is a devotion and how does it apply to a worship lifestyle?

According to Webster’s dictionary, devotion is religious fervor, an act of prayer or private worship usually used in the plural as in devotions. Devotion is a religious exercise or practice other than the regular corporate worship of a congregation.

Another definition is the fact or state of being ardently dedicated and loyal. So being devoted is being loyal or very dedicated to something or someone. When we are not fully devoted to God, we run the risk of being devoted to false idols. This can be our jobs, our recreation, the television, food, sex, the computer, or a host of many other things.

A devotion in the Biblical sense therefore is to set apart not only time for study of The Word, but setting apart our actions, our thoughts, our practices and our lifestyle for God. In our devotion time, we should not only be studying the Word, praying, and seeking God’s direction and face, but we should also be striving to live a devoted or set apart life for Him, a life of loyalty to our great and marvelous God.

A good Biblical picture of devotion is described in 2 Kings 20:3. Here Isaiah is speaking with Hezekiah and we see by his words, he is describing a life of devotion to God. Isaiah is and telling Hezekiah that the Lord tells us to “set your house in order, for you shall die and not live.” Hezekiah is going to die soon and needs to set his house in order. I read this verse and know that some day, I too, will die and I want to choose to set my house, my spiritual inner house, if you will, in order. To do this is to live a life of devotion to God.

Isaiah goes on in verse 3 speaking to God. “Remember now, O LORD, I beseech You, how I have walked before You in truth and with a whole heart and have done what is good in Your sight.” Upon hearing this, Hezekiah wept. Isaiah is describing and recounting to God his life of devotion.

We see Isaiah’s life is not just a Sunday church going lifestyle or a quick Bible reading before bed, but a journey of devotion and relationship with God. Isaiah says he walked before God in truth and with a whole heart and did what was right in God’s sight. This is biblical devotion, wholly serving and living for God when no one is watching, except God.

Another example of godly devotion is what David says in 1 Chronicles 28:9. Here David is instructing his son, Solomon. He instructs Solomon and us, to know God, and serve Him with a whole heart. Devotion involves the whole heart and not just a part of it. Not only does it include the whole heart, but the willing mind. Our hearts and minds need to be set on God for devotion to honest. This is heart felt worship as opposed to when we say we devote ourselves to something. That secular devotion often becomes false worship. Only God is worthy and deserving of our whole and mindful devotion.

We cannot fake this devotion, as the second half of verse 9 says that the LORD searches all hearts and understands every intent of our thoughts. If we seek Him, He will let us find Him, but if we forsake Him, He will reject us forever. This alone is enough to make me serious in my devotion to my God, my Savior, my creator and my LORD.

As we live our lives and strive to daily worship God, let us do what 1 Corinthians 7:35 prompts, to secure undistracted devotion to the Lord. Don’t give God second place or third place or the leftovers. Devotion is giving God the first part of your day, the first part of your finances, the first thoughts, cares, concerns and ideas that daily come across our mind.

Keep doing your devotions, keep doing devotions with your kids, keep doing the devotions in the morning, at night, at your lunch break, when ever you can and wherever you can. The difference now is that when you do your devotions, devote or set apart that time to God and God alone. Know that the time you spend in the Word and in prayer is special, it’s relational and it’s intimate with God. These devotions are a way we are telling God that we are serious in our walk, our journey and our relationship with God. Devotions are part of worship.

Devotions are a way we can fervently worship God and be wholly submissive to His plans for our lives while dedicating ourselves and trusting Him to guide us daily in all that we do.