The Bible teaches that Jesus used to get up before the Disciples and seek out a quiet place to pray. “Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus withdrew to a solitary place to be alone with God and pray.” Mark 1: 35 “He went to a mountain and spent the night in prayer”. Luke 6: 12
There are other instances such as after He fed the 5000 He withdrew “to be alone with God”. When He heard the bad news about His friend, John the Baptist, He went away “to be alone with God.
Jesus taught them to do the same. Mark describes a time that they`d been in the middle of a really busy period and Jesus pulled His friends aside, and said to them, “Come with Me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest”.
It occurred time and again throughout His life right up to the time He went to the Cross. He went to the Garden of Gethsemane the night before He was taken and brought His Disciples with Him, but He withdrew from His friends in order “to be alone with the Father”.
Okay I don’t know about you, but when Jesus makes a point over and again I listen. There has to be something special about withdrawing from the crowd and being alone with God.
I’m convinced that nowhere does the Spirit of God manifest Himself to mankind more than in the great outdoors. It’s easy to see and feel His presence in the woodlands. He puts on daily performances for our enjoyment that include beautiful sunrises, quiet mornings, serene peaceful days, breathtaking sunsets, black velvet nights with sparkling diamond star filled skies and big moons.
Here at Honey Lake concerts are held each night with croaking bullfrogs, hooting owls, lonesome whippoorwills, and an occasional train sounding its horn crossing through nearby Aucilla. Mornings are greeted by quail whistles, chattering birds, braying donkeys, mournful doves, and lowing cattle. Herons lazily float across beautiful lakes and ponds, squirrels scamper about gathering breakfast, whitetails stand and stare, colorful butterflies drift up and down, and bald eagles soar high above.
The sirens, traffic jams, and the hustle and bustle of our modern day lives are non-existent, and there is no need to hurry because time slows down at Honey Lake. I believe that if Jesus were walking the earth in the flesh today and was anywhere nearby this place He would get up very early in the morning, while it was still dark, and withdraw to Honey Lake to be alone with God and pray.
Many pastors, churches and lay people are discovering the advantage of following the lead of Jesus and they are engaging in spiritual retreats. A Spiritual Retreat can be defined as a period spent away from normal activities in a secluded place where privacy can be maintained. It is a time devoted to prayer, meditation, quiet rest, and contemplation and we host quite a few here at Honey Lake.
One of our goals is to promote more spiritual retreats. In fact we are setting aside some of our property to be utilized by churches and Christian organizations to build Spiritual Retreat Centers for their ministries. My son and I were talking yesterday at how we would like to see the place filled each week with those weary souls who are seeking a closer walk with the Lord where they can enjoy His “rest”.
I urge you to withdraw and find a quiet place to be alone with God. You’re probably thinking, “You haven’t been to my house – there isn’t one!” Then find the quietest place you can. Remember Jesus went to a solitary place. Get away from the noise.
Personally I don’t find it in downtown Manhattan, Atlanta, Chicago, Tallahassee, or other cities. Find somewhere quiet, serene, and tranquil. When you get there try to forget your busy life and instead slow down and just focus on (and listen to) God.
Yesterday my wife told me she saw my truck parked at the church and asked what I was doing. I replied that I was in there praying. It felt good to be in that awesome place by myself; just me and God. Lately I’ve felt like Elijah when he was feeling sorry for himself and discouraged and I wanted to shore up my courage.
I recently read this on the Internet:
“When God spoke to Elijah on Mount Horeb, He could have done so in the wind, earthquake, or fire. But He didn’t. He spoke with a “still small voice” (1 Kings 19:12). God asked, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” as he hid from Jezebel who had threatened to kill him.
Elijah’s reply revealed what God already knew — the depth of his fear and discouragement. He said, in effect, “Lord, I have been most zealous when others have forsaken You. What do I get for being the only one standing up for You?”
Was Elijah really the only one serving God?
No!!!
God had “seven thousand in Israel . . . whose knees had not bowed to Baal”.
In the depths of our fear or despair, we too may think we’re the only one serving God. That may happen right after the height of a success, as it did for Elijah or after some failure.
Psalm 46:10 reminds us to “be still, and know” that He is God. The sooner we focus on Him and His power, the quicker we will see relief from our fear and self-pity.
Both the clashing cymbals of our failures and the loud trumpeting of our successes can drown out God’s still small voice. It’s time for us to quiet our hearts to listen for Him as we meditate on His Word.
Keep listening for the “still small voice” and try to remember this little poem:
If you are weary on life’s road;
The Lord will make your heart rejoice
If you will let Him take your load.
Hess”
Psalm 46:10
“Be still, and know that I am God! I will be honored by every nation. I will be honored throughout the world.”