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.

When Samuel Rutherford lay in Aberdeen prison, we are told he used to write at the top of his letters, “God’s Palace, Aberdeen.”

When Madame Guyon was imprisoned in the castle at Vincennes, she said: “It seems as though I were a little bird whom the Lord has placed in a cage, and that I have nothing now to do but sing.”

And prisons shall palaces prove if Jesus abides with me there.

I never had in all my life so great an inlet into the Word of God as now; those Scriptures that I saw nothing in before, are in this place and state [in Bedford Jail] made to shine upon me; Jesus Christ also was never more real and apparent than now; here I have seen and felt Him indeed! JOHN BUNYAN

The New Testament tells of no regret on the part of those who sacrificed themselves for Christ. The apostles never pathetically recite the story of what they gave up for the Christian ministry. The ancient martyrs sometimes kissed the stake at which they suffered so cruelly.

This is the spirit in which we should lose, suffer, and die for Christ’s sake.

By thus renouncing all, we gain all. Nothing yields higher interest than loving self-denials for the highest claims.

I have seen the headlight of a giant engine rushing onward through the darkness, heedless of opposition and fearless of danger. I have seen the lightning at midnight leap athwart a storm-swept sky, splintering chaotic darkness with beams of light until the heavens glittered like midday sun. I knew this was grand, but the grandest thing this side of the light that flows from God Almighty’s throne is the blessed benediction of a human life that spends itself in forgetful service for a brokenhearted world and finds its home at last in the bosom of the everlasting God.

I walk alone, and I am sore afraid; My way is dark, my path with thorns o’erlaid; Draw near me, Lord, and take my trembling hand And make me brave to join Thy pilgrim band.

Thou hast a band which fears not dark nor death, Which suffers agony at every breath, Yet sings with joy e’en in the midst of pain, With whom the greatest loss is greatest gain.

Who would not walk with such a company? Who would not sing with such an ecstasy?

Did I say lone and fear? May God forgive And teach me, e’en through sorrow, how to live.

Life is not life which knows no shrinking fears; Life is not life which sheds no bitter tears; This is true life when, through dark suffering, One learns from Christ and men brave conquering.

Then lead me on thou martyr-host of God! Then lead me on, O Christ, to Thine abode; There with Thy holy ones I shall find rest And learn that death, in life, was God’s great best.

HENRY W. FROST