A Quiet Place Of Solitude
1 Samuel 16:19 says, “Wherefore Saul sent messengers unto Jesse, and said, Send me David thy son, which is with the sheep.”
The Lord told Samuel that He had rejected Saul “from reigning over Israel (v. 1), because of his rebellion. God also allowed an evil spirit to trouble Saul (v. 15). In an effort to help the king, Saul’s servants suggested having “a cunning player on an harp” (v. 15), to calm his spirit! Then one of the servants remembered that “a son of Jesse the Bethlehemite, that is cunning in playing” (v. 18). As Saul’s messengers went to get Jesse’s son, David, he was “with the sheep.”
It was there on the hills of Judea, with a harp on his hand, a flock of sheep, and the vastness of green pastures that David learned the basic lessons of being alone with God. By being away from any distractions, David heard the Lord’s voice and learned how to commune with Him (Ps 23:2), and how to worship and praise His mighty name (Ps 150:1)! Sadly, many today have no idea what it means to get alone with God in their prayer closet (Mt 6:6). Our society is full of distractions and modern gadgets that fill our minds with so many activities that are not acceptable in the sight of God (Ps 19:14).
Most people cannot survive without the noise and the company of others. Our Lord Jesus often spent time to pray by Himself “into a solitary place” (Mk 1:35). He set the example of showing us the value and the needed benefit of being alone with God (Lk 6:12). We also need that kind of intimacy with the Father. Because our strength comes “in quietness and in confidence” (Isa 30:15). Those quiet times of solitude are important as we meditate on God’s word (Ps 119:97), so we can hear His voice! Those are times when God prepares us for bigger and greater things in our lives (Hab 2:1). Let’s take time to dwell “in the secret place of the most High” (Ps 91:1), where we can commune with Him! God bless you!
- Pastor Melito Barrera
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