A Solitary Place

Read This Week: Luke 4

At daybreak, Jesus went out to a solitary place. The people were looking for him and when they came to where he was, they tried to keep him from leaving them. But he said, “I must proclaim the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns also because that is why I was sent.” And he kept on preaching in the synagogues of Judea. – Luke 4:42-44 NIV

Jesus had an eventful time in Luke chapter 4. He was tempted in the wilderness by the enemy, He was rejected in His hometown of Nazareth even while He proclaimed the Good News to the multitudes, He drove out an impure spirit, and healed many people. By any standards, these activities would constitute a busy schedule and one that would require a break. Jesus did just that because He always knew when He needed some quiet time with the Father. Verse 42 says that He went out to a solitary place.

Being alone and practicing solitude are two very different things. One can be comfortable while the other requires discipline. One can cater to self-absorption and the other to self-examination. One can provide less noise, but the other can bring perspective. One can be a conduit for physical rest and the other for life-change. Jesus understood the difference between the two and used it as an avenue to regroup spiritually and stay focused on the mission (v.43). He provides an example for us to find a solitary place to encounter the Lord, be refreshed in our life with God, and gain new energy and resolve for our mission. 

Being alone is not a bad thing. It can be good for the soul. Everyone needs to physically disconnect from the grind and press mute on the voices that bombard us each day. But sometimes, being alone exclusively does nothing more than fuel the things we struggle with, advance false beliefs, and encourage self-interest. 

A solitary place can help us understand our challenges and gain a spiritual perspective that we need to face the difficult circumstances of life. This time with God can shift our emphasis off of ourselves and onto the Word as we are still and listen to His voice. Our negative emotions can be re-centered and brought under the control of the Spirit, and we can learn humility and grow out of our brokenness.

A solitary place can arrange an encounter between selfishness and sanctification. It can help us tear down the false images of ourselves and rebuild a new person alive in the fullness of Christ. Our attitude can shift from personal recovery to spiritual renewal as we go from looking for relief to passionately seeking the will of God. It was more about renovation than rehabilitation.

A solitary place can facilitate spiritual and emotional healing. God deals with our issues in these spaces as we pursue Him without distraction. The Scriptures tell us that if we will return to God and rest in Him, we will find strength and confidence in the quietness. This promise rings true for us in the present as God can strengthen our hearts and minds as we engage with His truth in a quiet place.

Jesus was the Son of God, yet he chose to find rest in the solitary place in this chapter and throughout the Gospels. What Christ practiced should be something we do as well. In a solitary place, we are not just alone. We are face-to-face with our Father, that loves us and wants to refresh, renew, and equip us for our lives with Him. Then we can exit these places of solitude and encounters with the Lord and say as Jesus did in verse 43, I must proclaim the good news of the kingdom of God because that is why I am here.

11 Comments

  1. Heidi on April 10, 2022 at 7:52 pm

    Luke 4: 8 Jesus replied to him, “It is written and forever remains written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God and serve only Him.’”
    Jesus knows that worship belongs to God alone, there will always be something that can turn us away from God.
    Worship is so important because when temptation comes and it does we can trust Father God to help us through it. When we put our attention on Jesus He helps us so it’s important to be listening.
    We worship the Lord by what we do and say,( our actions) like being helpful, patient, generous, and caring.
    By what we say, ( our words) telling others about His greatness, sharing good things, and praising Him.
    In our hearts (our thoughts) Praying to Him, means a 2 way conversation with Him, and thinking about Him, what’s on His heart He already knows what’s on ours.
    We serve a loving Father who is always with us.

    Thank you Father God for given us Jesus to learn from, we can trust You through everything we go through because we too are full of Your Spirit, we can be led by You, to do and say what is right, to be a blessing to everyone we talk too.
    We can read our bible and find the answers we need for every situation. Thank you!
    Love You

    • Jason on April 24, 2022 at 11:30 am

      Wonderful stuff, Heidi. I feel like this statement and truth is something every believer needs to hear constantly:

      Jesus knows that worship belongs to God alone, there will always be something that can turn us away from God. Worship is so important because when temptation comes and it does we can trust Father God to help us through it.

      There will always be those things that try to take us away and distract us from the true, devoted worship of God. It seems like the things and temptations grow by the day, but as you said, we can trust the Holy Spirit to help us through it and keep us focused on the Lord. That is so encouraging to know and live within.

  2. Heidi on April 10, 2022 at 7:55 pm

    I love this song! I play it all the time!

    Spirit lead me

    This is my worship, this is my offering
    In every moment, I withhold nothing
    I’m learning to trust You, even when I can’t see it
    And even in suffering, I have to believe it
    If You say, “It’s wrong, ” then I’ll say, “No”
    If You say “Release, ” I’m letting go
    If You’re in it with me, I’ll begin
    And when You say to jump, I’m diving in
    If You say, “Be still, ” then I will wait
    If You say to trust, I will obey
    I don’t wanna follow my own ways
    I’m done chasing feelings, Spirit lead me
    O Spirit lead me
    It felt like a burden, but once I could grasp it
    You took me further, further than I was asking
    And simply to see You
    It’s worth it all
    My life is an altar
    Let Your fire fall
    If You say, “It’s wrong, ” then I’ll say, “No”
    If You say, “Release, ” I’m letting go
    If You’re in it with me, I’ll begin
    And when You say to jump, I’m diving in
    If You say, “Be still, ” then I will wait
    If You say to trust, I will obey
    Teach me how to follow in Your way
    I’m done chasing feelings, Spirit lead me
    Holy (Spirit, Spirit lead me)
    Holy Spirit (Holy Spirit, Spirit lead me)
    (Yeah, just sing it out, yeah)
    O Spirit lead me (Holy Spirit, Spirit lead me)
    When all hope is gone and Your Word is all I’ve got
    I have to believe, You still bring water from the rock
    To satisfy my thirst, to love me at my worst
    And even when I don’t remember, You remind me of my worth
    I don’t trust my ways, I’m trading in my faults
    I lay down everything ’cause You’re all that I want
    I’ve landed on my knees
    This is the cup You have for me
    And even when it don’t make sense
    I’m gonna let Your Spirit lead (Spirit lead me)
    I’m gonna let Your Spirit lead (Spirit lead me)
    I’m gonna let Your Spirit lead (Spirit lead me)
    I wanna let Your Spirit lead (Spirit lead me)
    Spirit lead me, yeah, O
    Spirit lead me
    Spirit lead me (Holy Spirit)
    Spirit lead me
    If You say, “It’s wrong, ” then I’ll say, “No”
    If You say, “Release, ” I’m letting go
    If You’re in it with me, I’ll begin
    And when You say to jump, I’m diving in
    If You say, “Be still, ” then I will wait
    If You say to trust, I will obey
    You’re the only Truth, the Life, the Way
    I’m done chasing feelings, Spirit lead me, yeah
    Yeah, yeah
    O (Spirit lead me)
    Spirit, O Spirit lead me (Spirit lead me)
    Spirit lead me (Spirit lead me)
    Even when it don’t make sense
    Ohh (Spirit lead me)
    I’m gonna trust in You, I’m gonna trust in You (Spirit lead me)
    Oh, yeah (Holy Spirit)
    Spirit lead me

    • Jason on April 24, 2022 at 11:13 am

      Thank you for sharing this song, Heidi. It is so deep and rich with truth. This part really stood out to me as I listened and read the lyrics:

      Spirit lead me, yeah,
      O Spirit lead me
      Spirit lead me (Holy Spirit)
      Spirit lead me
      If You say, “It’s wrong, ” then I’ll say, “No”
      If You say, “Release, ” I’m letting go
      If You’re in it with me, I’ll begin
      And when You say to jump, I’m diving in

      I was convicted about the part of releasing control and letting go while allowing the Spirit to guide every part of my life. I want to have the faith and trust in God to always begin with Him and dive in with faith to whatever He has for me on a daily basis.

  3. Ken on April 10, 2022 at 8:14 pm

    I love how Jesus is always full and led by the Spirit. He always took the time while on earth to spend personal time with our Father. May we learn from him and do the same.

    • Jason on April 24, 2022 at 11:09 am

      That’s so true and needed, Ken. As we’ve talked about before, if it was good enough for Jesus, then it is good enough for us. I pray we will always find that solitary place to commune with the Father and allow Him to fill us for our daily journeys.

  4. Jeri Centers on April 12, 2022 at 11:27 am

    This is from Luke 4 verse 4:

    You give us each day our daily bread, and yet we do not live by bread alone.
    Thank you that you know our needs and provide everything we need to live.
    Thank you that you also give us your word so that we may live eternally. Amen.

    What that means to me is that we should worship the Lord our God and serve only him, help others in their time of need, and speak God’s word. So they can feel God’s peace and comfort and joy. Just remember every day is a new day with God.

    • Jason on April 24, 2022 at 10:18 am

      This is such a hopeful and joyous message, Jeri. It is truly a blessing from heaven to know we have everything we need in Jesus Christ and that He is also faithful to provide for our physical needs as well. It’s easy to forget that piece sometimes.

      But this understanding of God’s provision truly does bring peace, joy, and comfort to our lives and all those who do life with God. I am thankful that this is available every day in His Spirit’s power.

  5. Alma on April 13, 2022 at 2:11 pm

    God gave me a song this week from Luke 4 called, “Worship”:

    We worship you, we worship you, we worship you, our Lord
    You fill our hearts with your love
    Giving joy, peace, and hope.

    Your love gives strength, confidence, and goodness in everything we do
    We praise you, we praise you, we are praising you, our Lord
    Filling our heart with your love, joy, peace, and hope
    Giving us calmness in a world full of chaos.

    We worship you, we worship you, we worship you, our Lord. Amen.

    Thank you, God, for filling my spirit with you and your love.

    • Jason on April 24, 2022 at 10:12 am

      This is wonderful, Alma. I too am thankful for God’s love and the way it invades and takes over our hearts and lives. It does give joy when we have no earthly reason to feel happy, peace when we are troubled, and hope in the midst of the greatest uncertainty. I appreciate how pointed out some other vital things God’s love provides us with this line:

      Your love gives strength, confidence, and goodness in everything we do.

      It really does give us these things and so much more. His love holds amazing truths and promises.

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