It is certainly unnecessary to say that turning conviction into action requires great sacrifice. It may mean renouncing or separating ourselves from specific people or things, leaving us with a strange sense of deprivation and loneliness. Therefore the person who will ultimately soar like an eagle to the heights of the cloudless day and live in the sunshine of God must be content to live a relatively lonely life.

There are no birds that live in as much solitude as eagles, for they never fly in flocks. Rarely can even two eagles be seen together . And a life that is dedicated to God knows divine fellowship , no matter how many human friendships have had to be forfeited along the way .

God seeks “eagle people,” for no one ever comes into the full realization of the best things of God in his spiritual life without learning to walk alone with Him. We see Abraham alone “in the land of Canaan, while Lot lived among the cities . . . near Sodom” (Genesis 13:12). Moses, although educat ed in all the wisdom of Egypt, had to spend forty years alone with God in the desert. And Paul, who was filled with all the knowledge of the Greeks and who sat “at the feet of Gamaliel” (Acts 22:3 KJV), was required, after meeting Jesus, to go immediately “into Arabia” (Galatians 1:17) to learn of the desert life with God.

May we allow God to isolate us, but I do not mean the isolation of a monastery . It is in the experience of isolation that the Lord develops an independence of life and of faith so that the soul no longer depends on the continual help, prayers, faith, and care of others. The assistance and inspiration from others are necessary , and they have a place in a Christian’ s development, but at times they can actually become a hindrance to a person’ s faith and welfare.

God knows how to change our circumstances in order to isolate us. And once we yield to Him and He takes us through an experience of isolation, we are no longer dependent upon those around us, although we still love them as much as before. Then we realize that He has done a new work within us and that the wings of our soul have learned to soar in loftier air .

We must dare to be alone, in the way that Jacob had to be alone for the Angel of God to whisper in his ear, “Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel” (Genesis 32:28); in the way that Daniel had to be left alone to see heavenly visions; and in the way that John had to be banished to the Isle of Patmos to receive and record “the revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him” (Revelation 1:1).

He has “trodden the winepress alone” (Isaiah 63:3) for us. Therefore, are we prepared for a time of “glorious isolation” rather than to fail Him?

In him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.

I have laid help upon one that is mighty; I have exalted one chosen out of the people.

I have trodden the winepress alone; and of the people there was none with me.

Great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh.

Unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given, and the government shall be upon his shoulder; and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

The brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the majesty on high.

Unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever.

Let all the angels of God worship him.

Kings of kings, and Lord of lords.

Who is like unto thee, O Lord , among the gods? who is like thee, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders?

He saw that there was no man, and wondered that there was no intercessor: therefore his arm brought salvation unto him; and his righteousness, it sustained him.

Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree.

Being made a curse for us.

O sing unto the Lord a new song; for he hath done marvellous things: his right hand, and his holy arm, hath gotten him the victory.

Having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.

He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities.

O my soul, thou hast trodden down strength.

We are more than conquerors through him that loved us.

They overcame by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony.