Are you Willing to Be Detained by God?

“Jewel, stop it!”

I love my little dog but she has a tendency to interrupt my morning quiet time.

Riled up by her run around the back yard, she pounces on me, desiring a doggie treat or some playtime.

It’s one of the distractions I know I’ll have in the morning, so I build in “Jewel” time.

But have you ever built in “God” time?

You ask, “Isn’t that what the morning quiet time is all about?”

Yes, but what if God needs a few extra minutes with you? What if he has a special message that might take additional explaining?

Have you carved out more time than you need, or are you in a hurry?

In 1 Samuel 21:7, it says King Saul’s chief shepherd, Doug the Edomite, was detained before the LORD.

Scripture does not clarify why God detained Doug or what he had to tell him. It treated this delay like it was a normal occurrence.

What if it was normal for us to be detained by God? What if we sat in his presence a little longer, in case he has an extra word?

If you’ve committed to a morning quiet time, it may be structured. Mine is.

• Sing a praise song to God.
• Ask God to speak to me through his Word or Holy Spirit.
• Read the Bible/Do Bible Study/Listen.
• Pray.
• Done.

But we have to build in time for God to detain us with his thoughts and his direction. We have to be willing to sit on our Father’s lap until he says it’s okay to hop down.

Psalm 91:1-2 says, “Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.”

The word “dwell” also means to “linger.” In this fast-paced world, are we willing to slow down and linger in God’s presence? If so, there are promises we can claim. Psalm 91 goes on to say God will deliver us from fear (Psalm 91:5). He will protect us by commanding his angels to guard us (Psalm 91:11). He will answer us when we call on him (Psalm 91:15). All because we spent a little extra time in his presence.

Don’t you desire to spend more quality time with the ones you love?

Then why is God any different?

Be willing to be detained by him.

Linger with him for a while.

You may have an inbox full of unopened messages waiting for you. (LBW)