LEFT ALONE!

“Then Jacob was left alone; and a Man wrestled with him until the breaking of day.” Genesis 32:24

Left alone! What different sensations these words evoke to each of us. For some they mean solitude and desolation; for others, rest and relaxation. To be left alone without God, would be too terrible to express with words; but to remain alone with Him, is an anticipated heavenly enjoyment. If more people would spend more time alone with Him, we would again have spiritual giants.

The Lord gave us an example. Notice the frequency with which He went to be alone. Undoubtedly his recommendation had a profound purpose: “But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly” Matthew 6:6.

The greatest miracles of Elijah and Elisha were realized when they were alone with God. Being alone with God was how Jacob came to be a prince; and it is exactly the same way we can become spiritual princes.

Joshua was alone when the Lord came to him (Joshua 1:1). Gideon and Jephthah were alone when they were commissioned to deliver Israel (Judges 6:11, 11:29). Moses was walking solitarily in the desert when God appeared to him in the burning bush (Exodus 3:1-5). Cornelius was praying alone when the angel came to him (Acts 10:2). Nobody was with Peter on the roof of Simon the tanner house when he was instructed to go to the gentiles (Acts 10:9). John was alone on Patmos when he was closer to God (Revelations 1:9).

Covet being alone with God. If we neglect this, not only will we rob ourselves, but we will also deprive others of blessings; because only when we have been blessed can we be a means of blessing to other people.

If the chosen men had never been alone in the deepest silence with God, they would not have done or dreamed anything great.