Jesus and his disciples had a busy day. A spontaneous healing service had begun (probably outside Simon's mother-in-law's house) at sunset. Jesus turned no one away. Scripture tells us that ALL with any who were sick brought them. He probably dealt with a crowd of sick people.
It's not clear how long the service lasted, but, at daybreak, He headed out. Jesus needed time with His Father, and He went to a quiet place where He could be alone. It didn't matter that He'd had a rough Sabbath yesterday, that He had been up late (possibly all night), or that He was exhausted. The source of His power, strength, and perseverance came from that quiet time, and He was not about to miss it.
Time with His Father took precedence over everything else, including the accolades and demands of the crowds.
It's not clear how long the service lasted, but, at daybreak, He headed out. Jesus needed time with His Father, and He went to a quiet place where He could be alone. It didn't matter that He'd had a rough Sabbath yesterday, that He had been up late (possibly all night), or that He was exhausted. The source of His power, strength, and perseverance came from that quiet time, and He was not about to miss it.
Time with His Father took precedence over everything else, including the accolades and demands of the crowds.
It was a matter of PRIORITY. Jesus knew what was most important, and He did it. There was no whining about how tired He was, how much He had to do, or how many people were making demands on Him, nor did those things deter Him.
Jesus needed time with His Father, and He took that time.
Because He did, we never see the consequences of missed quiet times in His life. We do, however, see the consequences of missed quiet times of prayer and Bible study in our own lives, don't we? Increasing distance from God, decreasing resistance to the ways of the world, less time in prayer, less faithfulness...
How diligent are we about being still with the Father? How faithful are we to be quiet enough to hear the Still Small Voice in your heart?
If our loved ones and the world around us are to see the evidence of following Christ in our lives, we must actually follow the example He set. That example begins with making time with the Father our highest priority.
Jesus needed time with His Father, and He took that time.
Because He did, we never see the consequences of missed quiet times in His life. We do, however, see the consequences of missed quiet times of prayer and Bible study in our own lives, don't we? Increasing distance from God, decreasing resistance to the ways of the world, less time in prayer, less faithfulness...
How diligent are we about being still with the Father? How faithful are we to be quiet enough to hear the Still Small Voice in your heart?
If our loved ones and the world around us are to see the evidence of following Christ in our lives, we must actually follow the example He set. That example begins with making time with the Father our highest priority.
Today, let's pray for a clear understanding of our present priorities, a godly reordering where needed, and the fruit of time alone with God to be evident in our lives.
"And when day came, He departed and went to a lonely place; and the multitudes were searching for Him, and came to Him and tried to keep Him from going away from them." (Luke 4:42 NASB)
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If you feel led to partner with this ministry (US, Middle East, the digital world), here's the link to give your tax-deductible donations: Global Outreach Acct 4841
"And when day came, He departed and went to a lonely place; and the multitudes were searching for Him, and came to Him and tried to keep Him from going away from them." (Luke 4:42 NASB)
_______________
Please like and share to extend our digital reach.
In case you missed it, here's the link to yesterday's post: Caregiver Chronicles: Going the Distance Even When It's a Struggle
If you feel led to partner with this ministry (US, Middle East, the digital world), here's the link to give your tax-deductible donations: Global Outreach Acct 4841
Or you can mail your check or money order to: Global Outreach/ PO Box 1, Tupelo MS 38802. Be sure to put Account 4841 in the "for" line.
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