Never Alone

Alone With God

Be still, and know that I am God.

Psalm 46:10

When you hear the word alone, what immediately comes to mind? Is it a special place you retreat to when seeking peace and quiet; perhaps a small creek or some hidden corner you have claimed as your own? For others, feeling alone is not pleasant at all but rather reminds them of loneliness or loss.

We have heard it said that we should spend time alone with God. That’s incredibly good advice for everyone. Our memories of those private times with the Lord are valuable beyond measure. We’ve also heard others express how their spirit was refreshed by doing so. Being together with God is always beneficial to us, but how precious is the tranquility we feel after an interval of sweet communion with Him! However, when the opportunity presents itself and we find a moment separate from people and tasks, what are our thoughts? 

Recently I found myself in just such a situation. After days of incredibly hot weather, I woke very early and ventured out to my patio to catch the coolness of the morning. With the sound of the water fountain, my favorite cup of coffee close by, birds flitting by and the stillness of no one else around, the stage was set for just God and me. I debated bringing my Bible to read but decided I just needed to talk with God. Once the serenity was settling over me, how disheartening to be completely at a loss for words! Sentiments of inadequacy arose comparing this interlude to the testimony of others that this occasion should be so idyllic. A worse thought, was I disappointing God? Missing out on this rare occasion of no duties pressing on me was not an option. Desperate to take advantage of this reprieve, I began praising the Lord for His beautiful creation I could see all around me.The joy and utter companionship with God that action usually brings didn’t occur. Now what?

That experience perfectly described being alone. Occasionally, we all have that sensation. Even when in a crowded room but not fitting in with the activity around us or going to a place of refuge with the intent of getting away from everything that concerns us, our frame of mind can make us feel apart from everyone else. No matter the circumstance, the pressures we face or the loss we have suffered, we need not be forlorn. God is still there. He will always be. He has promised He will never leave us, nor forsake us. “… I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee” (Hebrews 13:5).

My morning of rest with God was peaceful. Having given up on finding anything to say and relaxing in the silence, even my thoughts were wordless. There was nothing but a soothing calm!  Afterwards, stepping into the house to begin the day’s events, those beginning doubts were instantly erased!  God had not spoken either that morning, but in that instant, there was an irrefutable sense of refreshing and restoration of my spirit!  Deep in my soul, I knew God had been there, and we were at one with each other and had spent our time well. Jesus often went into the desert to rest and pray, so perhaps God needed that morning of respite as much as I did.

Being together with God is worth it!  He wants to commune with us!  “Be still, and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10). Truly, you are never alone.