Devotion:  ALONENESS. 

Texts: Mark 6:32 | Exodus 24:12-18; 33:7-11. | 1 Kings 19:3-18.

The place of aloneness, isolation; is the place of solitude with God. It is the place of seclusion- a place sheltered or screened from general activity; a withdrawn place, involving little human or social activity. It’s a place also called ‘the place of quietness’ or ‘the closet’; ‘the secret place’, away from all the noise, distractions, and busyness of life. 

Though not necessarily physical location based, but it most times is. The place of aloneness is the place you have set aside for yourself; giving full, focused attention to God. In this place, distraction is minimized; infact, almost non existent. 

The ‘Secret place’, or the Place of aloneness, is the place of intimacy with God, hence discovery of self and every hidden and beclouded details about life’s journey. It is also the place of communing with God [place of dialogue (not monologue); a place where God speaks to man sometimes in direct response to man’s inquiries, explanations, and all forms of communication, as presented by man]. 

Scriptures says  in Mark 1:35(AMP)==> “Early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left [the house], and went out to a secluded place, and was praying there.”▪️

While it was still dark, [when the noisome activity of the day hasn’t started, when everywhere is near mute, but for the sound of chirping birds, and the mighty rushing water of the fount…, a time when attention isn’t distracted by interaction with the regular world], Jesus would rise and seclude Himself (separate Himself) and be alone in the presence of God- almost shutting His affairs out of memory, but concentrating on Jehovah the God of creation, worshiping Him and committing Himself yet unto Him for maximum productivity and fulfillment of purpose. Jesus, the Bible said, prayed in the place of seclusion. 

>Exodus 33:7, 9, 11(NIV)==>7)“Now Moses used to take a tent and pitch it outside the camp some distance away, calling it the “tent of meeting.” Anyone inquiring of the Lord would go to the tent of meeting outside the camp. 9)As Moses went into the tent, the pillar of cloud would come down and stay at the entrance, while the Lord spoke with Moses. 11)The Lord would speak to Moses face to face, as one speaks to a friend. Then Moses would return to the camp, but his young aide Joshua son of Nun did not leave the tent.”▪️

In the solitary place, Moses would speak to the Lord, expressing all His concerns and burdens; he would call unto the God of his calling according to >Jeremiah 33:3(AMP) that says==>“‘Call to Me and I will answer you, and tell you [and even show you] great and mighty things, [things which have been confined and hidden], which you do not know and understand and cannot distinguish.’▪️

When Moses called unto God, the Lord will speak to him so clearly as a man would speak to his friend, showing him whatever it is he ought to know. In the place of solitude, Moses took delivery of the guiding laws for the children of Israel. 

The gains of walking in intimacy with God, practicing aloneness, longing for Him in the Secret place, has great benefits. 

Whilst David was in the backside of the desert in solitude, away from every family life and activity; he got so intimate with God, and his exploits filled the book of Psalms, and other books of the bible. He got to know who God is, intimately; hence his hands were strengthened for warfare. 

Elijah, in the moment of utmost despair and depression, took off into a secluded place all alone >>> 1 Kings 19:4, 11-12 (NLT)==>“Then he went on alone into the wilderness, traveling all day. He sat down under a solitary broom tree and prayed that he might die. “I have had enough, Lord,” he said. “Take my life, for I am no better than my ancestors who have already died.”

11)“Go out and stand before me on the mountain,” the Lord told him. And as Elijah stood there, the Lord passed by, and a mighty windstorm hit the mountain. It was such a terrible blast that the rocks were torn loose, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. And after the earthquake there was a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire there was the sound of a gentle whisper.”▪️

In the gentle whisper was God…talking to him, refreshing him, and giving a lead as to the next phase of his life, which was very crucial [which birthed his ministerial legacy]. 

He would have died unfulfilled had it not been for his seclusion. Elisha’s destiny also would have been truncated,) if not for that time out Elijah had, that shed light unto the next line of action. What an encounter! 

Also, Abraham dialogued with God in solitude, interceding for Sodom >>> Genesis 18:23-33. It was a serious back and forth conversation which obviously couldn’t have been done in between schedules. Only in the place of solitude can such be engaged. 

Jesus said >Matthew 6:5-6(NLT)==>““When you pray, don’t be like the hypocrites who love to pray publicly on street corners and in the synagogues where everyone can see them. I tell you the truth, that is all the reward they will ever get. 6)But when you pray, go away by yourself, shut the door behind you, and pray to your Father in private. Then your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.”▪️

Get into the Secret place, the place of Aloneness with the Father, and have your eyes of understanding enlightened, experience God in a deeper and unusual way. Be like Moses… have God discuss with you as a man speaks to his friend. Call on Him, He will answer you, showing you and telling you about the hidden and the unknown, the unclear and confined. 

JESUS had a getaway with God, you also need such!

Prayer Action:

  • Praise the Lord Who sees in secret but answers in the open.
  • Pray in the language best understood in the place of aloneness. 
  • Call on Him and dialogue with Him in this place of quiet with Him; and be assured He will answer you, showing and telling you things as untold to you before.
  • Commit to a scheduled time out, (Alone) with Him. 
  • Be convinced, hence commit to get away with Him as Abraham, Moses, Elijah, David, and the Lord Jesus did.