Seek the Lord and His strength;
seek His presence continually.
1 Chronicles 16:11 (ESV)
Series: Hands and Feet
One of the greatest joys in my life is spending time with special women as we take part in spiritual retreats, Bible studies, and Sunday School classes. It’s a gift to share what God has shown each of us and how we can use His Word in our everyday lives. Long phone calls with faraway friends and lunches laughing, crying, and growing together add much to my life. But, above all these wonderful things, is the time I spend alone with God.
A quiet, refreshing time alone with my Father is like a vacation from the chaos and responsibilities that are part of my world. Can any of you relate? Do things in your world become so overwhelming that you need time to breathe, time to rest? Jesus did.
In Mark 1:35 KJV, we see Jesus in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed. This practice is mentioned nine times in the Word.
Jesus did this to speak to His Father. He spent 40 days in the wilderness alone before He went out to start His ministry here on earth. He prayed all night before going out and choosing the twelve men who would be closest to Him, who would carry the gospel to the world. Before He was arrested to be crucified, He went to the garden alone to pray. He set an example before us about spending time alone with God.
Sometimes, alone time with God can be our choice. We want to speak with Him every day. We want to read His Word and see the truth written there. We want to listen quietly for His voice. Other times, God puts us in a place where we have little choice but to be alone with Him. Have you ever been sick and at home alone? Have you gone on a trip alone and driven miles and miles? Has He ever set you apart from family and friends through difficult circumstances, leaving you with no one but Him?
In any of these times, we need to draw near to Him. Jude 1:30 tells us Build yourself up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, keeping yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of your Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.
How do we build ourselves up? This is something we must do ourselves. We can learn much through sermons, Sunday School class lessons, reading spiritual books, or sharing God with others. These methods help us in our spiritual walk, but none of them will ever replace alone time in prayer and the Word. Jesus wants us to spend one-on-one time with Him. He wants to hear from us. He wants to hold us close.
Many in the Bible spent time alone with God. Daniel prayed in his room even when it was against the law. John was exiled to the Isle of Patmos, and God gave him the book of Revelation.
When Jesus gave the Sermon on the Mount, He told His followers there:
“When you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.”
(Matthew 6:6 NIV)
How does He reward us? He calls us His children. He calls us His friends. He says we are chosen by Him. Our focus can move to the purpose He has for us. As we listen to Him, we can rest while we hear His still small voice speaking love and direction for us. Our strength is increased in preparing us for the future. And our spiritual growth will take us to another level in our personal walk with God.
Come near to God and He will come near to you.
(James 4:8 ESV)
Isn’t it amazing that the Creator of the world, the Giver of grace, the God who sees everything wants to spend time with each of us alone? It pleases Him when we choose to be shut in with Him.
Are you weary? Are you healthy? Are those you love close to God? Are your finances not meeting your needs? Are you lonely? Don’t cower or run away from what God has called you to. Keep going. Press forward. Seek God and His will for you.
Jesus sought time alone with His Father to pray, to commune, to rest, and to receive. To be restored, renewed, strengthened, and fueled so that He could continue in righteousness, truth, and power, as He carried the message of Love to the masses and shared God’s perfect will with all He met.
In Acts 20:32, Paul said:
“And now I entrust you to God and the message of His grace that is able to build you up and give you an inheritance with all those He has set apart for Himself.”
God has set you apart. Time set apart for God is not wasted time. It is not idle time. This too expresses the will of the Father and the action of the Son. Follow the footsteps of Jesus. Imitate His hands and feet. Get alone with Your Father and lift your hands to Him. This is the perfect place for you to pour out your heart and find the answers you long for.
Shut in with God in a secret place,
there in the Spirit beholding His Face…
Finding more power to run in this race…
O how I long to be shut in with God!Shut in with God while kneeling in prayer,
Finding His Beauty and Glory there….
I bow in wonder at His awesome Grace,
As He shuts me in His Holy place.As I’m shut in with God, my strength is renewed,
I soar like an eagle, I’m born anew…
O the wonder! O the Grace!
As I’m shut in with God in this Holy place!
(William Grum)
Holding Fast to Hope,
Debby
Scripture References: 1 Chronicles 16:11; Mark 1:35; Matthew 6:6; James 4:8; Acts 20:32
