At this time (December/January) in the United States we once again have reached the final stage of the American Football Season, the so-called Playoffs are on their way. The best teams of the season are determining the participants for the great final game at the end of January, the Superball. Shortly after the holydays we were visiting an American family and the talk also involved the Playoff rounds in football which is not surprising when you have three teenagers who are very interested in sports. I should say that also some adults were very eager to speak about these matters as well! As part of our conversation we were also talking about the Timeouts which each team has to cause a short interruption of the game in order to speak and discuss important matters on the side-lines and be better prepared for the next play. Such Timeouts also give a little bit of extra time to rest to get new energy and to concentrate to what is ahead. However, the Timeouts are limited and each team only has a small number or Timeouts available; therefore they only take these Timeouts when a very important or perhaps decicive situation for the whole game has been reached. Many games have been decided within the last minutes (some even within the last few seconds) by a good use of the Timeouts. (By the way, those, not that familiar with American Football know Timeouts also from basketball where they are used in a similar fashion.)
The lively conversation about football and especially the topic of Timeouts inspired me to think about taking time out for God and to write a short study as a practical admonition for our Christian walk. In this comparison I am concerned especially that throughout a day we do take Timeouts from everything else that’s going on in order to make some time for God, to turn to him and also to speak to him about the further steps to be taken that are ahead of us. Most of all I think that our Timeout should concentrate on thanking God, praising him, giving him honour for that which he is and what he already has done and what he is working in our lives. When we consider our heavenly father and his goodness, his grace and mercy, his great love, all of that will strengthen us, comfort us, andmonish us and equip us with all that we need for the next steps in our life.
In the Bible we can read that there were so calles hours of prayer in Biblical times. Quit often these were short times of meditation of a thankful turning to God at designated hours of the day such as at the beginning of the day (first hour), afterwards at the third hour, after that at noon time (6 hour) etc. At such times people gathered either in the temple or at a different public place which served for worship or else people took the time at their own house to pray, or were they were they looked for a quiet place in order to thank God and to praise him.
Some religions even have fixed prayer times where this form of meditation and prayer even is commanded to the believers and a not keeping of the prayer times is regarded as not acceptable and even punishable perhabs. We may have read about such rituals in books or perhabs seen reports on TV about countries where Islam is practiced. And we have seen and know pictures of people who are stopping everything when the call from the mosque for prayer is heard. And they take out their prayer carpet and then continue with the meditation to their God.
Some Christians at times look down on such people and their practices and even try to say that such practice is worthless, stupid, fanatic, untimely, unprofitable or other such things. I do not want to judge people here and other religions as regards to their worship and prayer practices. I am concerned about my life as a Christian and the walk of other Christians in our fellowship and other Christian churches, and it appears that at times perhaps we could even learn some things in regards to worship and a humble turning to our heavenly Father from such observations that we make. There is absolutely no reason to lift oneself above others and especially not if it concerns their honesty and sincerety and inner dedication to their god when perhaps we ourselves to not even display a part or fraction of such conviction and love for our God, our heavenly Father.
It really is very important for us that throughout the day we stop and we turn our hearts to God. Thereby we should remember his greatness, his works, his deeds and his great goodness and love which he shows everywhere and which also is recognizable in our life. Such a time out for God where the things of the daily life and all that which goes on around us very purposely is put to a stop and where we experience a very conscious and planed time out. Such a time of meditation and thinking about God will help us, strengthen us and make it possible for us to take the next step for the endeavours in front of us with a new strength, a new courage and especially with an attitude of thankfulness.
In the book of Psalms there are some Psalms where the praising of God is emphasized and the main topic of concern. I would like at this place to insert some of these as examples how perhaps such a time out for God can be done.
The three Psalms 111 to 113 are very nice examples of praise for God. Very emphatically we find the word -Hallelujah in these Psalms, either at the beginning or at the end of the Psalm.
Psalms 111:1-10:
Praise ye the LORD. I will praise the LORD with my whole heart, in the assembly of the upright, and in the congregation.
The works of the LORD are great, sought out of all them that have pleasure therein.
His work is honourable and glorious: and his righteousness endureth for ever.
He hath made his wonderful works to be remembered: the LORD is gracious and full of compassion.
He hath given meat unto them that fear him: he will ever be mindful of his covenant.
He hath showed his people the power of his works, that he may give them the heritage of the heathen.
The works of his hands are verity and judgment; all his commandments are sure.
They stand fast for ever and ever, and are done in truth and uprightness.
He sent redemption unto his people: he hath commanded his covenant for ever: holy and reverend is his name.
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever.
Hallelujah – "praised be the Lord!" That is what the word -Hallelujah from the Hebrew means. Praised be the Lord, the Lord be praised!
It is important for us to note here how much God, the Lord, is at the centre of the whole Psalm. It is he who is due the praise, the thanksgiving, the honour and the glory. The Psalmist is not talking about himself what -I have done for God but rather his heart is concentrated completely on him, on what he, the Lord, is and does. Great are his works, what he does is glorious and wonderful. He provides all to those who fear or reverence him.
God and his being, his works are at the center of the concerns and of the thoughts of the Psalmist. To God also must be our turning and our concern when we take the time to worship him and to think on him when we meditate on him.
The next Psalm opens further inside in the purpose of our turning and time out for God.
Psalm 112:1-10:
Praise ye the LORD. Blessed is the man that feareth the LORD, that delighteth greatly in his commandments.
His seed shall be mighty upon earth: the generation of the upright shall be blessed.
Wealth and riches shall be in his house: and his righteousness endureth for ever.
Unto the upright there ariseth light in the darkness: he is gracious, and full of compassion, and righteous.
A good man showeth favour, and lendeth: he will guide his affairs with discretion.
Surely he shall not be moved for ever: the righteous shall be in everlasting remembrance.
He shall not be afraid of evil tidings: his heart is fixed, trusting in the LORD.
His heart is established, he shall not be afraid, until he see his desire upon his enemies.
He hath dispersed, he hath given to the poor; his righteousness endureth for ever; his horn shall be exalted with honour.
The wicked shall see it, and be grieved; he shall gnash with his teeth, and melt away: the desire of the wicked shall perish.
Here again, even though in a more indirect way God, the Lord, is at the center of the thoughts, for it is said how that man will do who trusts in the Lord and who relies on him.
What great promises are mentioned here which are for the ones who fear God, for the righteous. Blessing, protection and guidance in all situations of life are promised to him. It becomes obvious how the great grace of God is always there but that it has to be received in order to come to bear in ones own life. This is basically the problem of the God rejectors, of the unbelievers, because they do not receive what God actually has made available to all men.
In the last Psalm of this group of -Hallelujah Psalms once again our view is directed to God and to his grace directly.
Psalm 113:1-9:
Praise ye the LORD. Praise, O ye servants of the LORD, praise the name of the LORD.
Blessed be the name of the LORD from this time forth and for evermore.
From the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same the Lord's name is to be praised.
The LORD is high above all nations, and his glory above the heavens.
Who is like unto the LORD our God, who dwelleth on high,
Who humbleth himself to behold the things that are in heaven, and in the earth!
He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, and lifteth the needy out of the dunghill;
That he may set him with princes, even with the princes of his people.
He maketh the barren woman to keep house, and to be a joyful mother of children. Praise ye the LORD.
Gods great goodness and his great grace and mercy are once again painted before our eyes. So many things which men could never do or produce or perhaps not even would want to do, our God does. Nobody needs to remain without hope for the Lord is ready, he has all what is ever needed so that we can be victorious in our lives.
Another small group of -Hallelujah Psalms is found in Psalms 116 – 118. These three Psalms again show us wonderful truths which we can learn and which will encourage us to take throughout the day very important time outs for God in our lives.
Psalm 116:1-19:
I love the LORD, because he hath heard my voice and my supplications.
Because he hath inclined his ear unto me, therefore will I call upon him as long as I live.
The sorrows of death compassed me, and the pains of hell gat hold upon me: I found trouble and sorrow.
Then called I upon the name of the LORD; O LORD, I beseech thee, deliver my soul.
Gracious is the LORD, and righteous; yea, our God is merciful.
The LORD preserveth the simple: I was brought low, and he helped me.
Return unto thy rest, O my soul; for the LORD hath dealt bountifully with thee.
For thou hast delivered my soul from death, mine eyes from tears, and my feet from falling.
I will walk before the LORD in the land of the living.
I believed, therefore have I spoken: I was greatly afflicted:
I said in my haste, All men are liars.
What shall I render unto the LORD for all his benefits toward me?
I will take the cup of salvation, and call upon the name of the LORD.
I will pay my vows unto the LORD now in the presence of all his people.
Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints.
O LORD, truly I am thy servant; I am thy servant, and the son of thine handmaid: thou hast loosed my bonds.
I will offer to thee the sacrifice of thanksgiving, and will call upon the name of the LORD.
I will pay my vows unto the LORD now in the presence of all his people,
In the courts of the Lord's house, in the midst of thee, O Jerusalem. Praise ye the LORD.
This really is a tremendous example about Gods great mercy, of his great grace, and kindness, and goodness. Let us also love God, for he hears the voice of his own. And today he hears the voice of his children!
Let us bring the sacrifice of thanksgiving and praise. Let us praise him for his great might and his rich grace which he has shown to us in Christ Jesus.
Psalm 117:1-2:
O Praise the LORD, all ye nations: praise him, all ye people.
For his merciful kindness is great toward us: and the truth of the LORD endureth for ever. Praise ye the LORD.
What an exclamation of a heart that is filled of God and of his grace and of his truth. What can be our answer to all of that which God has already given and that which he grants? Truly a praise and glory of all people because that is what he at all times deserves.
Psalm 118 puts this attitude of heart in a vocabulary and word of thanksgiving. O, that we would find again and again throughout the day a time out for God in order to completely give thanks to God, and to then have this as bases on which to build the next steps.
Psalm 118:1-29:
O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: because his mercy endureth for ever.
Let Israel now say, that his mercy endureth for ever.
Let the house of Aaron now say, that his mercy endureth for ever.
Let them now that fear the LORD say, that his mercy endureth for ever.
I called upon the LORD in distress: the LORD answered me, and set me in a large place.
The LORD is on my side; I will not fear: what can man do unto me?
The LORD taketh my part with them that help me: therefore shall I see my desire upon them that hate me.
It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man.
It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in princes.
All nations compassed me about: but in the name of the LORD will I destroy them.
They compassed me about; yea, they compassed me about: but in the name of the LORD I will destroy them.
They compassed me about like bees; they are quenched as the fire of thorns: for in the name of the LORD I will destroy them.
Thou hast thrust sore at me that I might fall: but the LORD helped me.
The LORD is my strength and song, and is become my salvation.
The voice of rejoicing and salvation is in the tabernacles of the righteous: the right hand of the LORD doeth valiantly.
The right hand of the LORD is exalted: the right hand of the LORD doeth valiantly.
I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the LORD.
The LORD hath chastened me sore: but he hath not given me over unto death.
Open to me the gates of righteousness: I will go into them, and I will praise the LORD:
This gate of the LORD, into which the righteous shall enter.
I will praise thee: for thou hast heard me, and art become my salvation.
The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner.
This is the LORD'S doing; it is marvellous in our eyes.
This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.
Save now, I beseech thee, O LORD: O LORD, I beseech thee, send now prosperity.
Blessed be he that cometh in the name of the LORD: we have blessed you out of the house of the LORD.
God is the LORD, which hath showed us light: bind the sacrifice with cords, even unto the horns of the altar.
Thou art my God, and I will praise thee: thou art my God, I will exalt thee.
O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.
God's goodness endureth forever! He is kind! To him we must give thanks at all times!
This Psalm contains verious tremendous points also in regards to us as to what we as his children can do, should do and are able to do. Oh, may our heart overflow of thanksgiving. May we proclaim the works of the Lord and praise him and thank him in all that we do.
At the end of this little study with the perhaps different title Take a Timeout for God, I would like to point to a verse in the Old Testament which records something that happened in the life of a prophet of God and which shows us how he also took regularly such time out for God (even when it was not called that in those days).
Daniel 6:10:
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 aforetime.
Many readers will know the context in which this verse is given. And they will know how some of the advisors of the king where jealous of Daniel and how the tried by a decree of the king to get rid of Daniel. They had deceived the king to decree that anyone who would pray to any god and ask anything of anybody else other than the king that he should be thrown into the den of lions in order to die a violent death there.
Daniel learned about this plot against him and he also knew that the decree of the king could not be altered. Now he had a decision to make: Either not take his time outs for God, or else to be thrown as living food into the den of lions after the first time out. Daniel decided to still keep on keeping his times of prayer, of praise, and of thanksgiving, and he faithfully continued and he trusted his God that he would support and save him even in this situation.
We can read here that Daniel took his time out for God three times a day, and that he did even despite of all the many things which he definitely as one of the mightiest man of the empire had to accomplish every day. He had planed this times for prayer, praise, and thanksgiving into his daily agenda and schedule. And even when he was threatened with death, he did not deviate from this matter. Quit obviously these times three times a day must have meant something to him. It even meant more to him than his own life because he was willing to be thrown in the den of lions in order to serve his God in humbleness and reverence and to pray to him, to praise him, and to thank him just as he had done before.
We too, perhaps have many things to accomplish and to do throughout the day. But we also should again and again during the course of a day ask ourselves the question whether perhaps a time out for God is necessary and the appropriate thing to do. Let us plan such time outs regularly for he, our heavenly Father, surely is the most important person for us, to him our live belongs. And it is he whom we want to serve with joy.