By Lynn Hardaway
Following in the steps of our Lord Jesus Christ means taking those few strides away from the pressing needs of family and ministry and isolating ourselves in the quiet place where we meet with our Father for instruction, inspiration, encouragement, correction and Scriptural application. Jesus often retreated to a solitary place to spend personal listening time with the Father, and He made a specific promise of open reward to those who will do the same. (Matthew 6:6)
Pastor, if you will make the room and space and time in your life to meet with God in a way that is deeper and more connective than merely reading a devotional and listing your requests to Him, He will reward you with His very real and transformational presence. I believe this is what the writer of Hebrews meant when he wrote, “He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.” (Hebrews 11:6)
Do a search for the word “quiet” in your digital Bible and some intriguing “rewards” of solitude with Him make themselves known:
confidence and strength (Isaiah 30:15)
hope (Lamentations 3:26)
righteousness, peace, assurance, security (Isaiah 32:17-18)
joy, gladness, His love (Zephaniah 3:17)
humility, calmness (Psalm 131:1-3)
Those qualities are found when we quietly wait on Him for His words to our soul. Reread that list; ponder the possibilities of what a difference it would make within you if those rewards were given to you because you gave God your full attention for an hour each day!