Having friends and family is a blessing that we all enjoy. However, there will be times when we must be willing to stand alone.
Hudson Taylor was wiling to trust God to go to China alone. He learned that God's work done God's way will never lack God's supply.
Elijah learned that 400 prophets of Baal couldn't best God. And he had to learn this lesson alone.
David Livingston left for Africa by himself. He learned to rely on the verse "Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world".
Daniel faced the lions alone and he learned that one man with God is really never alone.
Being alone is something that many people fear. However, it's the time when we can hear God best!
I Samuel 3:2-4- And it came to pass at that time, when Eli was laid down in his place, and his eyes began to wax dim, that he could not see; And ere the lamp of God went out in the temple of the LORD, where the ark of God was, and Samuel was laid down to sleep; That the LORD called Samuel: and he answered, Here am I.
Samuel was alone and quiet when God chose to talk to him. When God speaks to us, it's like with Elijah- a still, small voice. So often we get so many people around that we can't hear him.
Luke 1:8-12- And it came to pass, that while he executed the priest's office before God in the order of his course, According to the custom of the priest's office, his lot was to burn incense when he went into the temple of the Lord. And the whole multitude of the people were praying without at the time of incense. And there appeared unto him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense. And when Zacharias saw him, he was troubled, and fear fell upon him.
Being alone is not something to fear. Every now and again we need to get alone with just God and listen. What is it God wants?
Many people say, "I'll stay around my friends until God tells me what to do". God wants to talk to you, but he's not going to shout over your friends. Some say, "I'm hanging with my family. If God wants to tell me something, He will". And more justify themselves by staying where God told them not to and proclaiming that they haven't heard from God.
Are you willing to wait alone for the answer? Are willing to separate yourself so that God can talk to you without distraction? Are you willing to serve God even if it means your friends or family won't be serving with you?
Psalms 27:14- Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.
David is giving you some practical advice here- wait on God. Was David sitting on a hammock waiting? No! He was out protecting Israel and fighting God's battles.
You think God's going to give you the answers you seek when you ignore Him and do your own will? IS God going to show you what path take when each time He tells you something you follow your own desires?
Are you willing to stand alone? There are many characters in the Bible who were willing to serve God alone- Elijah, Elisha, Jeremiah, Paul.
Maybe God wants you to serve him alone-
He's promised never to leave you- Hebrews 13:5
He's promised never to forsake you- Psalms 27:10
He's promised nothing will separate us from His love- Romans 8:35-39
Is He enough for you?
When everyone else falls down to the world's ways will you stand alone like the 3 Hebrew children?
When God's enemies advance and His army is cowering, will you step forward like David?
When even your family decides to turn back will you do God's will and go ahead alone like Moses?
When God calls to a foreign field will you go alone like Paul?
Many times God wants to see if you're willing. He doesn't always keep us alone. But what if that is His will for your life? Are you willing to do His will even if it means you'll be alone?
I know many people who have answered this question "no". And they are living unfruitful lives of self indulgence with a hole in their heart and a feeling of a life worth nothing. When you stand before God will He say "I would have blessed you beyond your wildest dreams, but you weren't willing to leave so-and-so behind to serve me"?
The decision isn't made when the question is asked. It's made by the small choices in service Christ from years earlier. It's made by doing right even when no one is looking. You'll know the answer to the question even before the question is asked.
In the words of Amy Carmichael- If you refuse to be hurried and pressed, if you stay your soul on God, nothing can keep you from that clearness of spirit which is life and peace. In that stillness you will know what His will is.
