Left alone!” What different emotions these words bring to mind for each of us! To some they mean loneliness and grief, but to others they may mean rest and quiet. To be left alone without God would be too horrible for words, while being left alone with Him is a taste of heaven! And if His followers spent more time alone with Him, we would have spiritual giants again.

Our Master set an example for us. Remember how often He went to be alone with God? And there was a powerful purpose behind His command, “When you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray” (Matthew 6:6).

The greatest miracles of Elijah and Elisha took place when they were alone with God. Jacob was alone with God when he became a prince (Genesis 32:28). In the same way, we too may become royalty and people who are “wondered at” (Zechariah 3:8 KJV). Joshua was alone when the Lord came to him (Joshua 1:1). Gideon and Jephthah were by themselves when commissioned to save Israel (Judges 6:11; 11:29). Moses was by himself at the burning bush (Exodus 3:1–5). Cornelius was praying by himself when the Angel of God came to him (Acts 10:1–4). No one was with Peter on the housetop when he was instructed to go to the Gentiles (Acts 10:9–28). John the Baptist was alone in the wilderness (Luke 1:80), and John the Beloved was alone on the island of Patmos when he was the closest to God (Revelation 1:9).

Earnestly desire to get alone with God. If we neglect to do so, we not only rob ourselves of a blessing but rob others as well, since we will have no blessing to pass on to them. It may mean that we do less outward, visible work, but the work we do will have more depth and power. Another wonderful result will be that people will see “no one except Jesus” (Matthew 17:8) in our lives.

The impact of being alone with God in prayer cannot be overemphasized.

If chosen men had never been alone, In deepest silence open-doored to God, No greatness would ever have been dreamed or done.

He went up upon the housetop to pray, probably for further light. What was to be the next step in the fulfillment of his lifework? Was the cloud to move forward? Was some new development of the Divine pattern at hand which he must realize for himself? And for others?

While he prayed the heavens were opened, and God gave him a real vision of His will. Then when he was very much perplexed in himself at what the vision meant, the knocking at the gate, the voices of men that rose at noon- silence calling his name, together with the assurance of the Spirit that there was no need for fear or further hesitation—all indicated that the hour of Destiny had struck; that a new epoch was inaugurated; and that he was to lead the Church into the greatest revolution she had known since the Ascension of her Lord.

What a lesson for our perplexed and anxious hearts! We find it difficult to wait our Lord’s leisure; like imprisoned birds, we beat our breasts against the wires of the cage. Though we pray, we do not trust. We find it hard to obey the injunction of our Lord —to roll our care, our way, ourselves, onto God.

Give to the winds thy fears; hope and be undismayed; God hears thy sighs, and counts thy tears; God shall lift up thy head.

Leave to His sovereign sway to choose and to command; With wonder filled, thou soon shall own how wise, how strong His Hand! Through waves and clouds and storms, He gently clears thy way.

Wait thou His time, so shall thy night soon end in joyous day. He everywhere hath sway, and all things serve His might. His every act pure blessing is His path unsullied light.