32270 Duty, Discipline, Delight

Here are seven important habits for building our relationship with God. You can form new habits that are in line with your new identity in Christ. All seven involve acknowledging God’s presence, communicating with Him through prayer, and thanking Him for His gracious involvement in our lives.

It takes time and consistency to develop a new habit. There are times when you may not “feel like” pursuing or loving God. Feelings come and go, and they are influenced by so many factors. For example, if you are physically tired, you may not feel any desire for God. In those times when feelings are absent, it is okay to “choose” to pursue or to love God simply because it is the right thing to do (a sense of duty).

You need to replace an old habit with a new one. For example, to know God, you want to develop a habit of spending time in the Word (reading the Bible). In order to do that, you will probably stop spending time doing something else. These habits should be practiced daily, and that requires discipline. But do not rely on your own strength. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you.

When we have developed a new habit, it becomes second nature. Practicing these habits now become a delight.

Habit 1: Desire God

Habit 2: Pursue God

Habit 3: Know God

Habit 4: Love God

Habit 5: Fear God

Habit 6: Trust God

Habit 7: Enjoy God

It begins with a desire. The desire results in pursuit. You will get to know God more. As you do, you will come to both love him more deeply and fear him more reverently. As a result, you will trust him more. This leads you to enjoy him in a way you never knew before. You treasure just being in his presence as King David did.

“I have asked the Lord for one thing—this is what I desire! I want to live in the Lord’s house all the days of my life, so I can gaze at the splendor of the Lord and contemplate in his temple.” – Psalm 27:4

When you enjoy nothing but the presence of the Lord in your life, it creates a deeper desire for Him in your heart, and the cycle continues.

The diagram below shows how these seven habits are related and work together to develop greater intimacy with God.

Intimacy Cycle

This diagram also shows that sometimes you can start the cycle at a different point. You may simply choose to pursue God without having a strong desire. You may start with “Know God” or “Love God” when you have an encounter with Jesus in your life. You may be overwhelmed by the love that his presence brings.

Wherever you start, what is important is to develop all of these seven habits over time.

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