I thought I was done last week writing about the value of integrating the presence of God and His Word. But a few days ago, I heard a statement in the Unhurried Living podcast by Alan and Gem Fadling that dealt with the same topic.
“In solitude, we’re with God. In silence, we listen to God.”
I was ready to move on from this subject, but that comment stopped me like I ran into a wall. Apparently the Lord wanted me to linger!
Through solitude and silence, we open ourselves to experience God’s presence and Word.
This isn’t immediately obvious. In fact, I’d even dare to say it’s wrong. After all, focusing on the presence and Word of God sounds like a decent way to organize church services which are social events. We want people to experience the moving of the Holy Spirit during worship and we strive to communicate the gospel of Jesus Christ in sermons. And we love it when these occur in crowds.
What’s so special, then, about being alone or refraining from talking? How do these behaviors sensitize anyone to the Holy Spirit and what He wishes to reveal?
Like worship, solitude doesn’t invite God’s presence; it helps us to become aware that He’s already with us. And silence allows us to hear the Lord’s message as the cacophony of competing voices, including our own, fades.
Jesus practiced silence and solitude.
“At once the Spirit sent him out into the wilderness, 13and he was in the wilderness forty days, being tempted by Satan. He was with the wild animals, and angels attended him.” – Mark 1:12-13
“One of those days Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray, and spent the night praying to God. 13When morning came, he called his disciples to him and chose twelve of them, whom he also designated apostles.” – Luke 6:12-13
Solitude and silence prepared Christ to make decisions that pleased God. Would He succumb to temptation or rely on the Father’s Word? Whom should He select to serve as apostles?
The closer we get to God and the more we depend on His Word, the better the quality of our judgments and actions will be.
These times of quiet also helped Jesus get ready to minister.
“Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed. 36Simon and his companions went to look for him, 37and when they found him, they exclaimed: ‘Everyone is looking for you!’ 38Jesus replied, ‘Let us go somewhere else–to the nearby villages–so I can preach there also. That is why I have come.’ 39So he traveled throughout Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and driving out demons.” – Mark 1:35-39
The demands on Christ’s time never diminished. He could help people 24/7 and still not please everyone. But Jesus knew that He Himself needed the touch of His Father in His life before He could share that blessing with others.
Spending time with the Lord isn’t selfish; it’s the only way to know and do His will.
But sometimes the demands of ministry pressed Jesus into isolation.
“While Jesus was in one of the towns, a man came along who was covered with leprosy. When he saw Jesus, he fell with his face to the ground and begged him, ‘Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.’ 13Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. ‘I am willing,’ he said. ‘Be clean!’ And immediately the leprosy left him. 14Then Jesus ordered him, ‘Don’t tell anyone, but go, show yourself to the priest and offer the sacrifices that Moses commanded for your cleansing, as a testimony to them.’ 15Yet the news about him spread all the more, so that crowds of people came to hear him and to be healed of their sicknesses. 16But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.” – Luke 5:12-16
Serving God should not substitute for prayerful communion with Him.
Jesus remains our role model for spiritual life and ministry. We follow His example to integrate the Word and presence of God:
“So Jesus said, ‘When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am he and that I do nothing on my own but speak just what the Father has taught me. 29The one who sent me is with me; he has not left me alone, for I always do what pleases him.’” – John 8:28-29
Enjoy the presence of the Spirit the next time you’re worshipping the Lord. And expect the preaching of the Word to address the issues God wants you to deal with.
But remember that God is with you even when you’re alone. And in the quiet, you can listen to the voice of Jesus.
When you’re here with God, you will hear His Word!
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