Peter Tan-chi Date: January 22, 2012Download Links:  Video Audio 4Ws |
Take a moment each day to withdraw from the busyness of life and spend time alone with God. Just you and your Savior, getting intimate with each other. This is the spiritual discipline of solitude.
The 21st Century Christian finds this notoriously difficult. He is constantly distracted by an immense number of entertainments that gnaw at his consciousness. James 4:4-7 identifies three major obstacles to getting closer to God: love for the ways of the world, pride that makes us believe we don’t need God, and the devil who deceives us into thinking that God does not love us. Nothing can be further from the truth. God longs to draw near to us. James 4:8 says, “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.”
God’s grace allows us to recognize our own sinfulness. God’s grace allows us to humble ourselves and ask God for forgiveness. God’s grace allows us to draw near to Him. God promised, “You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.” (Jer 29:13) God knows your heart. If you sincerely long for Him, you will have intimacy with Him. It takes grace.
Many times in Jesus’ earthly life, He practiced solitude. He withdrew from the crowds to spend time alone with God. Despite His busy schedule, He spent the first hours of the day with His Father (Mk 1:32-38). He directed His life according to the Father’s agenda.
Susanna Wesley, a mother of more than ten children, found a creative way to practice solitude. In the midst of her household responsibilities, she retreats into the kitchen, pulls her apron over head, and spends time with God!
In Hosea 6:6, God conveys what He really desires from us: “For I delight in loyalty rather than sacrifice, and in the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.” Hosea rallies us in verse 3: “So let us know, let us press on to know the LORD.” Make intimacy with God your primary goal in life.
When you practice solitude, any trial that you face brings you closer to God and becomes a blessing. And you recognize that any blessing that draws you farther away from God becomes a curse. In 1 Samuel 30, David faced a difficult trial. He clung to God and found strength in Him. He found the strength to ask God for directions, to carry them out, and to lead his band of soldiers to do the same. “The people who know their God will display strength and take action.” (Dan 11:32) People who know their God become strong because they are dependent upon the Lord. People who know their God make wise decisions without yielding to popular opinion.
Jesus says, “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If any one hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and dine with him and he with Me.” (Rev 3:20) God longs to spend time with you—to sit down with you, sip a little wine, and talk about anything and everything about life. Will you let Him in your
heart?
Live
15 Comments