Recently, during one of my devotional times, I came across four words that grabbed my attention. So much so that it led me into a deeper study on that topic. Those four words were, ‘as was His custom’.
You’ll find those words in reference to Jesus, Daniel, and Paul.
What was the custom of Jesus?
Why did those things become His custom?
From whom did He learn those behaviors?
Another word for custom is habit. Habits are also known as a custom or even a manner, and thus when we hear the phrase, “as his custom” or “as his manner was,” we can conclude this was a habit. A habit is something people do with or without any conscious thought.
“We first make our habits, and then our habits make us.”
Watch your thoughts; they become your words.
Watch your words; they become your actions.
Watch your actions; they become your habits.
Watch your habits; they become your character.
Watch your character; it becomes your destiny.”
What’s Your Custom?
Do you have any custom?
What are your habits of life? How would your family describe your customs?
Twice in the New Testament the phrase is used, “as was his custom,” in reference to Jesus. In Mark 10:1, it is used to refer to his custom of teaching the people. In Luke 4:16, he’s going to the synagogue to worship, as was his custom?
We will first take a look at Daniel’s custom?
“And in his upper room, with his windows open toward Jerusalem, he knelt own on his knees three times that day, and prayed and gave thanks before his god, as was his custom since early days.” Daniel 6:10
Did you notice that?
Daniel prayed and gave thanks…as was his custom SINCE EARLY DAYS.
Prayer and thanksgiving was second nature to Daniel. It was a part of who he is. It had become a habit. He had a lifestyle of prayer and thanksgiving.
Daniel didn’t allow the king’s decree to change his actions. He continued in his prayer life. Daniel had a patter to his prayer. He prayed in his upper room. This showed that it was a private prayer that was not done the the intention of impressing others. Daniel prayed with his window open toward Jerusalem. This showed that he remembered where he came from and the importance of God’s city. Daniel prayed according to Scripture. Solomon asked God to give special notice to the prayers of His people when they prayed towards Jerusalem. (See 1 Kings 8:30). Daniel knelt down on his knees when he prayed. Daniel prayed three times that day. This showed that Daniel was in constant communication with God. Daniel prayed and gave thanks. Daniel’s prayer was not just supplication, asking God for things, but also of thanksgiving.
We can glean some principles from Daniel’s prayer life.
Daniel had a designated place for prayer. Do you have such a place?
Daniel went to his upper room; his personal solitude, to avoid distractions and interruptions. He excused himself from every other person so he could be with God.
We will continue this study on customs as we look at the life of Jesus and Paul in the next article.
In the meantime, what spiritual habits have you developed or are you developing that will cultivate the fruit of righteousness in your life?