For almost all my christian life I have known the importance of getting alone with God. We all have. So why do we find it so difficult to make this a priority in our lives? Why is it that even as a pastor, I often struggle to make this a priority in my life.
In Matthew 14, we find Jesus grieving over the death of his cousin John the Baptist. What did he immediately do upon hearing the news? You guessed it, according to verse 13, "...He withdrew from there in a boat to a secluded place by Himself;" Jesus got alone. However, the people followed Him, and before you know it, He is right in the middle of ministry again, healing the sick, and bringing the miracle of the five loaves and two fishes. What a tremendous miracle! Yet, after everyone had eaten, he sent the people away and the disciples away, and according to verse 23, "...He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray..."
What does this teach us about our own needs in life? That when we are grieving, we need to get alone with God, that when we are victorious, we need to get alone with God. Jesus, who had a fellowship with the Father that we cannot wrap our minds around, still felt it necessary to get alone with God when He was in the valley and on the mountain tops. How much more do we? How much more do I?
We face valleys and enjoy mountain tops in our lives, sometimes all in the same day, just as Jesus did on this day. In any case, let us get alone with the One who loves us the most, who created us and sustains us, who has purchased us with the precious blood of His only Son, who has sent us His Spirit, and who will receive us unto Himself for all eternity. Let us approach the God Who has made a way for us to come to Him and sit at His feet, tell Him our difficulties, declare to Him our love and devotion, receive His grace, His comfort, or any other thing He may have for us.
If we genuinely love the Lord the way we declare, let us not neglect our time with Him.
Mac
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