10/02/2022
As Christians we spend time in church and in faith based activities with other believers. We also find ourselves surrounded by the fallen world, and sometimes it can feel like both of these activities are having the same effect on us. The hectic nature they share, the imperfect humanness that is there; they wear on us, so let’s ask ourselves a couple of questions today… how much time do we spend alone with God, and do we allow this quiet time to restore us?
“And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone,”
Matthew 14:23 ESV
We have all been in crowded places where the conversations seem to run together, people are moving around us constantly, and we feel like we were drowning. It might be a work meeting, a family gathering, or a church event, but suddenly we realize that we are tense, and being overwhelmed by it all. When this happens we just want to run away, withdraw to a quiet place, or go for a peaceful walk. Haven’t we all experienced such moments?
“And he said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a desolate place and rest a while.” For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat. And they went away in the boat to a desolate place by themselves.”
Mark 6:31-32 ESV
Have you ever noticed that although we read how Jesus would speak to crowds, and was surrounded by them, we never read of God speaking to more than one man at a time? He speaks to the masses through His prophets, but they too become tired, overcome, and need His rest. Even when Jesus was in a crowd for any length of time it would wear on Him, and He needed to find a quiet place to be alone with His Father so that He could recuperate, and be restored. We are told to do this too. Jesus tells us to do this very thing when we pray…
““And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.”
Matthew 6:5-6 ESV
Quiet places, secret places, alone time with God, praying in solitude, and being spoken to individually on mountains, in wildernesses, and closed rooms; do we seek these places out? Do we know the value of being alone, silent, and still in them with our Holy Father? Do we know the benefit of turning our attention inward into the inner temple within us, away from the chaos of our surroundings, and into the peaceful abode of God?
“But the Lord is in his holy temple; let all the earth keep silence before him.””
Habakkuk 2:20 ESV
“Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own,”
1 Corinthians 6:19 ESV
Let’s ask ourselves the two opening questions again… “ how much time do we spend alone with God, and do we allow this quiet time to restore us?” Are we able to answer these questions now? Are we ready to reorder our lives to allow for times like these? I pray that we will make time to walk alone with God, and find that peace we all need so desperately.
““Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!” The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah”
Psalm 46:10-11 ESV
Prayer:
Father, thank you for the times when we are alone with you. Thank you for those quiet hours, those still times, when you whisper to us, and speak to our spirits in a low voice. Thank you for restoring peace to our souls. Help us Lord to realize those times when we are drowning in the world, and even when the spiritual uproar of the crowds that are seeking you, become too much for us to bear. Lead us away into a solitary place and join us there. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you our God who brings purpose and calm into our lives. Praised be your name for the peace and order that our times alone in the wilderness with you can bring. Merciful are you who stills the effect of the chaotic world as it swirls and roars about us. Wise are you who removes us from the crowded hillsides, and from the bustling altars where the loud prayers of so many become jumbled together in confusion; you are wise to take us away to a quiet place to reorder our thoughts, and restore calm to our spirits. Transform us father into the image of Jesus, and teach us the value that He found in being alone with you. Wash us in His blood, and judge us to be worthy of being in your presence, in peaceful eternity with you.
“For thus said the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel, “In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and in trust shall be your strength.” But you were unwilling,”
Isaiah 30:15 ESV
Rich Forbes