{"id":711,"date":"2021-01-19T15:37:04","date_gmt":"2021-01-19T21:37:04","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/reconciledworld.org\/flourish\/?p=711"},"modified":"2022-12-19T13:25:06","modified_gmt":"2022-12-19T19:25:06","slug":"6-benefits-of-solitude-with-god","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/reconciledworld.org\/flourish\/6-benefits-of-solitude-with-god\/","title":{"rendered":"6 benefits of solitude with God"},"content":{"rendered":"

Why is solitude with God so important? Why isn\u2019t going to church, joining a small group or attending Bible studies enough?\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

What is it about solitude with God that is so crucial to our relationship with him?\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Joshua didn\u2019t leave the tent<\/h4>\n

In Exodus 33:7-11 we read that Moses met with God in the tabernacle (tent of meeting) \u2013 speaking with him \u201cface to Face.\u201d Then it says: \u201c<\/span>When Moses was finished he would return to the camp, but his young aide Joshua son of Nun did not leave the tent<\/span><\/i>.\u201d (v.11)<\/span><\/p>\n

What did Joshua do in there? How long did he stay? Did he meet with God face to face as well? The Bible doesn\u2019t say what Joshua did in that tent but I can\u2019t help but think whatever he experienced in the presence of God shaped him deeply. So deeply that later when Moses\u2019s ministry was terminated God <\/span>asked him to hand it over to Joshua, his servant. (Numbers 27:18-23)<\/span><\/p>\n

In a world where we\u2019re inundated with media, people, stress, and work from the moment we wake up, God has a life-giving opportunity for each of us. Like Joshua, God offers a better start to your day than anything the world could offer. <\/span>Alone time with Him.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Here are 6 benefits of solitude with God<\/span><\/p>\n

    \n
  1. <\/b> Exposure to God\u2019s wisdom\u00a0<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    God is all-wise and all-knowing. <\/span>You can\u2019t spend time alone with Him and remain ignorant. <\/span>Acts 4:13<\/span> says that when the religious leaders saw the boldness of Peter and John and perceived that they were uneducated and untrained men, they marveled; and they realized that they had been with Jesus. You can\u2019t spend time with the LORD and not be wiser than you are now<\/span>. [1]<\/sup><\/span><\/p>\n

      \n
    1. <\/b> Recipient of divine perspective<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

      Through Scripture and time with the Lord, God gives His people the capacity to see all of life from His vantage point. Having God\u2019s perspective allows us to rise above the daily grind of life and the petty actions of others and realize there is a sovereign God who rules over His creation and directs the activities of mankind. <\/span>[2]<\/span><\/sup><\/p>\n

        \n
      1. <\/b> Renewal of physical and spiritual strength<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

        When you spend time alone with God, you not only gain renewal of physical strength, you also enjoy spiritual refueling and refreshment. <\/span>Isaiah 40:31<\/span> says \u201c<\/span>those who wait on the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.<\/span><\/i>\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

        According to <\/span>Psalm 68:35a,<\/span> the God of Israel is \u201c<\/span>He who gives strength and power to His people.<\/span><\/i>\u201d Spend time alone with God and He will give you power and strength. <\/span>[1]<\/span><\/sup><\/p>\n

          \n
        1. <\/b> Beneficiary of Godly guidance<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

          God promises to guide us all the way through our lives. The psalmist writes, \u201c<\/span>For this God is our God forever and ever; <\/span><\/i>he will be our guide<\/span><\/i> even to the end.\u201d<\/span><\/i> (Psalm 48:14). But how do we receive this guidance? Psalm 48:9 says: \u201c<\/span>meditating on your unfailing love<\/span><\/i>.\u201d The secret of guidance is alone time with God \u2013 meditating on His word. Wow, what a gift we receive in our alone time with the Lord! <\/span>[3]<\/span><\/p>\n

            \n
          1. <\/b> Experience conviction and correction<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

            Psalm 17:4-5 says:<\/span> \u201c<\/span>I have followed your commands, which keep me from following cruel and evil people. My steps have stayed on your path; I have not wavered from following you.<\/span><\/i>\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

            One of the great proofs that the Bible is really God\u2019s inspired Word is its unique ability to convict men and women of their sins. <\/span>Often God will use his word to gently correct us and lead us onto a steady path.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

              \n
            1. <\/b> God\u2019s great reward<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

              God rewards time spent alone with him in prayer.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

              \u201cAnd when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.\u201d<\/span><\/i> (Matthew 6:5-6)<\/span><\/p>\n

              God\u2019s will, His nearness, His goodness, His love \u2013 rewards freely given to those who commune with him.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

              Make it a priority<\/h4>\n

              All of the money in the world cannot buy the rewards God longs to give you as you commune with Him. As busy pastors and leaders don\u2019t forget to prioritize alone time with God this year. It\u2019s the best gift you will ever receive; one-on-one communion with your heavenly Father.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>

              \n

              Growth Point<\/span>:<\/span><\/h4>\n

              In a world where we\u2019re inundated with media, people, stress, and work from the moment we wake up, God has a life-giving opportunity for each of us \u2013 alone time with Him.<\/span><\/p>\n

              Scripture Point<\/span>:<\/span><\/h4>\n

              Meditate on Mark 1:35<\/span><\/p>\n

              Action Point:<\/span><\/h4>\n

              Commit to 20 minutes each day this week for quiet solitude time with God. Watch how it changes you!<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>

              <\/div><\/div><\/div>
              [1] <\/span>https:\/\/cedarministry.org\/10-benefits-of-spending-time-alone-with-god\/<\/span><\/a><\/h6>\n
              [2] https:\/\/thinkingonscripture.com\/tag\/living-with-the-divine-perspective\/<\/span><\/h6>\n
              [3] <\/span>https:\/\/bibleinoneyear.org\/bioy\/commentary\/1227<\/span><\/a><\/h6>\n
              https:\/\/www.first15.org\/01\/12\/having-time-alone\/<\/span><\/h6>\n<\/div>
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