Have You Ever Been Alone With God?

Have You Ever Been Alone With God?

“When they were alone, He explained all things to His disciples.” Mark 4:34

It has happened to me so many times. God seems to even orchestrate what books I am reading and then ties it in with what I am reading in my quiet times, and so often it coincides with what is happening in my life.

This week I have been on vacation, so I have had some time to read in between playing with the grandkids. I have been working through two leadership books that have clobbered me big time. It was rather comical at first, but then I realized that God speaks in many ways.

Today’s devotional was from January 12^th writings of good old Oswald Chambers:

Our Solitude with Him. Jesus doesn’t take us aside and explain things to us all the time; He explains things to us as we are able to understand them. The lives of others are examples for us, but God requires us to examine our own souls. It is slow work— so slow that it takes God all of time and eternity to make a man or woman conform to His purpose. We can only be used by God after we allow Him to show us the deep, hidden areas of our own character.

It is astounding how ignorant we are about ourselves! We don’t even recognize the envy, laziness, or pride within us when we see it. But Jesus will reveal to us everything we have held within ourselves before His grace began to work. How many of us have learned to look inwardly with courage?

We have to get rid of the idea that we understand ourselves. That is always the last bit of pride to go. The only One who understands us is God. The greatest curse in our spiritual life is pride. If we have ever had a glimpse of what we are like in the sight of God, we will never say, “Oh, I’m so unworthy.” We will understand that this goes without saying. But as long as there is any doubt that we are unworthy, God will continue to close us in until He gets us alone.

Whenever there is any element of pride or conceit remaining, Jesus can’t teach us anything. He will allow us to experience heartbreak or the disappointment we feel when our intellectual pride is wounded. He will reveal numerous misplaced affections or desires— things over which we never thought He would have to get us alone. Many things are shown to us, often without effect. But when God gets us alone over them, they will be clear.

I needed to hear this today. How about you? He really does speak to hearts and transform lives. All we need to do is unclog and unplug our ears. It will be amazing what you will hear. – Bill Welte is President and CEO of America’s Keswick

GPS – God’s Positioning System: Job 40-42; Proverbs 14; Psalm 14

Compass Pointers: Seeing that distance and distrust will do nothing for you, try what drawing near and confidence will do. Horatius Bonar

Navigation Rules: Level 1: Proverbs 2:6-7; Level 2: Proverbs 2:1-11

Anchored to the Rock: Waiting for an answer to prayer is often part of the answer!