Wednesday 7 December 2016

December 7

Scripture:

1 Kings 19:11-12, Philippians 4:5-9

 “The Lord is Near”

 Few of us would experience the upheavals the prophet Elijah went through in his life of service to God and to the people of Israel. Elijah stood up boldly for God in a time when idolatry had swept his land. He pronounced God’s curse of famine on the land. He came face to face with the false prophets of Baal and called down fire from heaven. He And yet more than twice he had fled for his life.

At the end of his long flight from Mount Carmel to Mount Horeb, Elijah had a supernatural encounter with the living God. There was a whirlwind, an earthquake and a fire on the mountain, but the Lord did not appear to him in any one of them. Instead, the Lord spoke through a “still, small voice” (1 Kings 19:12 KJV). Would we hear God when he whispers to us, “What are you doing here?”

Would we recognize how much He loves us to have a care to just check on us? Would we let on everything that’s going on inside of us, as Elijah did (1 Kings 19:14)? Regardless of the situation we are in, God wants to draw near to us so that His peace, which transcends all understanding, will guard our minds in Christ Jesus. (Phil 4:7)

Breathe through the heats of our desire
Thy coolness and Thy balm;
Let sense be dumb, let flesh retire;
Speak through the earthquake, wind, and fire,
O still, small voice of calm.
— John Greenleaf Whittier (1807-1892)

Application: Solitude Paul’s final exhortation to the Philippians includes what they ought to think and do. Allow some time to immerse yourself in the reading of Philippians 4:5-9 when you practice solitude. What is God speaking to you through His Word? Our time spent in solitude has implications in our active life. It empowers us to love others: “if we’ve truly been with the God of love and his love is purifying us and putting us at peace then we’ll love others better.”[1]

Richard Foster writes, “the fruit of solitude is increased sensitivity and compassion for others. There comes a new freedom to be with people. There is new attentiveness to their needs, new responsiveness to their hurts.”[2]

This Advent week, as we willingly yield to the God of peace, may He enable us to think and act according to His Word in matters that concern others.

Prayer:
A Benediction. (You might consider reading it out loud at the end of your time of solitude to hear these words of blessing.)

Go in peace! Love and care for one another in the name of Christ, And rejoice in the Lord always; again I say, Rejoice! The Lord is at hand. Have no anxiety about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your request be made known to God. And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, will keep your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus; both now and forevermore. Amen[3]


[1] Bill Gaultiere, "Solitude and Silence," Soul Shepherding, http://www.soulshepherding.org/2005/08/solitude-and-silence/ (Accessed Nov 21, 2013.)
[2] Richard J. Foster, Celebration of Discipline: the Path to Spiritual Growth, (San Francisco, Harper & Row, 1988), 95.
[3] Richard J. Fairchild, "Sermon and Liturgy For Advent 03 - Year C," Sermons and Sermon- Lectionary Resources, http://www.rockies.net/~spirit/sermons/c-ad03su.php (Accessed on Nov 21, 2013.) 

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