On Wednesday nights after Bible classes, Judie and I often go to Sonic to get corn dogs as we drive home. Last Wednesday as I waited to order, the person did not say, “Welcome to Sonic. How can I help you?” Her first words to me were, “How many corn dogs do you want with your Diet Coke?”
I was startled, so I ordered a large Diet Coke and two corn dogs. When I got to the window to pay, she said, “Don’t you want a Route 44 Diet Coke (it is larger than a large) like you usually get?” It is amazing we are creatures of habit. People see us, and we often are not aware of how much they observe.
Think about these Bible characters and their customary actions in their lives. Just remember that not all habits are bad. Some of them lead to great spiritual growth. How many of these actions are part of your life?
Hannah, the mother of Samuel, had a habit. She was childless and wanted so much to have a child. The Bible describes her custom. “So it was, year by year, when she went up to the house of the Lord…” (1 Sam. 1:7). There were yearly feasts for the Jews, and her custom was to go every year. We have a weekly feast. What is your custom? Is it something that is part of your life every week?
Aged Daniel had been in captivity for seventy years when his enemies laid out a plan to destroy him by getting the king to forbid any prayers other than those to the king. “Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went home. And in his upper room, with his windows open toward Jerusalem, he knelt down on his knees three times that day, and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as was his custom since early days” (Dan. 6:10). Look closely at what is said, “As was his custom since early days.” What are your prayer habits?
Look at what Jesus customarily did. “So He came to Nazareth, where He had been brought up. And as his custom was, He went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day” (Luke 4:16). How much are you like the Lord?
Paul shows a great example in what he customarily did. “Then Paul, as his custom was, went in to them, and for three Sabbaths reasoned with them from the Scriptures” (Acts 17:2). What is your custom about telling others about the Lord?
How did Judas know Jesus would be in Gethsemane? “Coming out, He went to the Mount of Olives, as He was accustomed, and His disciples also followed Him” (Luke 22:39). Do others know your spiritual customs?
Wise people should consider their spiritual customs! How wise are you?