Solitude is not a word to be misunderstood. It is not with the worldly way of looking at things to be alone, loneliness, separated or castaway. But it means a valuable time spent with the Heavenly Father, A one on one conversation with the creator. Jesus himself most of the times took time for himself to be away from the people and to seek the guidance from the Heavenly Father. Some other times he was left alone by his own disciples and friends.
These are some of the learning from the Solitude.
It creates opportunities: It is said that Adam being alone he had created a bad communication gap between himself and eve, that created the whole issue of sin in the garden. Solitude gives opportunity for one to build bridges to fill the gap of communication, it was up to Adam to initiate a conversation about the fruit of life and its consequences, but he missed the opportunity.
Romans 5:12 NIV
Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all people, because all sinned--
We are not to worry about this one man's Solitary act, but we are to rejoice about the one man - Jesus Christ. His Mercy on forgiveness of our sins and his Grace through which we live a Godly life for his glory.
When Jesus heard about John, He went to a solitary place. Here Jesus focused on his purpose of life than focusing on the circumstances and the situation. We know when the people followed his later - "He felt compassion for them and healed their sick".
6 But when Herod’s birthday came, the daughter of Herodias danced [d]before them and pleased Herod, 7 so much that he promised with an oath to give her whatever she asked. 8 Having been prompted by her mother, she *said, “Give me here on a platter the head of John the Baptist.” 9 Although he was grieved, the king commanded it to be given because of his oaths, and because of [e]his dinner guests. 10 He sent and had John beheaded in the prison. 11 And his head was brought on a platter and given to the girl, and she brought it to her mother. 12 His disciples came and took away the body and buried [f]it; and they went and reported to Jesus.
In the temptation of Christ also Jesus was all alone, but he defended with the power of the Word of God.
To converse with the Heavenly Father:
Jesus went alone to Pray: - After cleansing and healing the sick in Luke 5:16 - it is said that: "But Jesus Himself would often slip away [f]to the[g]wilderness and pray".
Matthew 6:6 NIV
But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.
Jesus reminds us that we are not alone:
Jesus praying in Solitary place in the early morning: Showing us Prayer is the Key -
Mark 1:35 NIV
Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.
To be Abiding and Indwelling:
We need to understand that we are never alone or lonely, as Jesus said "Because the Father is with Me"
we need to be confident about this then our solitude to pray for one another, to seek his guidance and to worship his makes sense.
In John 15th chapter, Jesus says what if we abide in him means - John 15:7 NIV
If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.
We know from the Parable of the Lost Son, When he came to the senses and when he went to his father and said I have sinned against heaven and against you.
Luke 15:21 NIV
"The son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.'
When Samson comes to his sense he was too late to realize his mistake, it is Solitary that should have helped his to be away from Delilah Tricks.
Joseph in the old testament is a very good example for the one who really appreciated his solitude and the one who victoriously won the race with the grace of God. When he was put out of his family members and sold as slave to the Egyptians, he learnt the lessons of solitude because the reason they put him out is because of the love of his father and their ego when Joseph told about his dream. His act of amazing maturity and assertiveness came when he encountered with the wife of potiphar's wife. He by all means would have said yes because he was always dreaming about being great and he would have taught this was an opportunity, but with Godly wisdom he was able to discern the thereat, the dilution in that call. The ability to overcome such great temptation was not with his strength but the presence of the God in his solitary life.
Paul's experience in Prison gave us a wonderful book in the bible - Philippians:
These are some of the learning from the Solitude.
It creates opportunities: It is said that Adam being alone he had created a bad communication gap between himself and eve, that created the whole issue of sin in the garden. Solitude gives opportunity for one to build bridges to fill the gap of communication, it was up to Adam to initiate a conversation about the fruit of life and its consequences, but he missed the opportunity.
Romans 5:12 NIV
Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all people, because all sinned--
We are not to worry about this one man's Solitary act, but we are to rejoice about the one man - Jesus Christ. His Mercy on forgiveness of our sins and his Grace through which we live a Godly life for his glory.
Romans 5:15
New American Standard Bible (NASB)
15 But the free gift is not like the transgression. For if by the transgression of the one the many died, much more did the grace of God and the gift by the grace of the one Man, Jesus Christ, abound to the many.
When Jesus heard about John, He went to a solitary place. Here Jesus focused on his purpose of life than focusing on the circumstances and the situation. We know when the people followed his later - "He felt compassion for them and healed their sick".
Matthew 14
New American Standard Bible (NASB)
John the Baptist Beheaded
14 At that [a]time Herod the tetrarch heard the news about Jesus, 2 and said to his servants, “This is John the Baptist;[b]he has risen from the dead, and that is why miraculous powers are at work in him.”
3 For when Herod had John arrested, he bound him and put him in prison because of Herodias, the wife of his brother Philip. 4 For John had been saying to him, “It is not lawful for you to have her.” 5 Although Herod wanted to put him to death, he feared the crowd, because they regarded [c]John as a prophet.6 But when Herod’s birthday came, the daughter of Herodias danced [d]before them and pleased Herod, 7 so much that he promised with an oath to give her whatever she asked. 8 Having been prompted by her mother, she *said, “Give me here on a platter the head of John the Baptist.” 9 Although he was grieved, the king commanded it to be given because of his oaths, and because of [e]his dinner guests. 10 He sent and had John beheaded in the prison. 11 And his head was brought on a platter and given to the girl, and she brought it to her mother. 12 His disciples came and took away the body and buried [f]it; and they went and reported to Jesus.
Five Thousand Fed
13 Now when Jesus heard about John, He withdrew from there in a boat to a secluded place by Himself; and when the[g]people heard of this, they followed Him on foot from the cities. 14 When He went [h]ashore, He saw a large crowd, and felt compassion for them and healed their sick.In the temptation of Christ also Jesus was all alone, but he defended with the power of the Word of God.
To converse with the Heavenly Father:
Jesus went alone to Pray: - After cleansing and healing the sick in Luke 5:16 - it is said that: "But Jesus Himself would often slip away [f]to the[g]wilderness and pray".
Matthew 6:6 NIV
But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.
Jesus reminds us that we are not alone:
John 16:32
New American Standard Bible (NASB)
32 Behold, an hour is coming, and has already come, for you to be scattered, each to his own home, and to leave Me alone; and yet I am not alone, because the Father is with Me.
Jesus praying in Solitary place in the early morning: Showing us Prayer is the Key -
Mark 1:35 NIV
Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.
To be Abiding and Indwelling:
We need to understand that we are never alone or lonely, as Jesus said "Because the Father is with Me"
we need to be confident about this then our solitude to pray for one another, to seek his guidance and to worship his makes sense.
In John 15th chapter, Jesus says what if we abide in him means - John 15:7 NIV
If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.
Romans 8:9-11
New American Standard Bible (NASB)
9 However, you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him. 10 If Christ is in you, though the body is dead because of sin, yet the spirit is [a]alive because of righteousness. 11 But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you,He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies [b]through His Spirit who dwells in you.
We know from the Parable of the Lost Son, When he came to the senses and when he went to his father and said I have sinned against heaven and against you.
Luke 15:21 NIV
"The son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.'
When Samson comes to his sense he was too late to realize his mistake, it is Solitary that should have helped his to be away from Delilah Tricks.
Samson Is Avenged
28 Then Samson called to the Lord and said, “O Lord [o]God, please remember me and please strengthen me just this time, O God, that I may at once be avenged of the Philistines for my two eyes.”
Joseph in the old testament is a very good example for the one who really appreciated his solitude and the one who victoriously won the race with the grace of God. When he was put out of his family members and sold as slave to the Egyptians, he learnt the lessons of solitude because the reason they put him out is because of the love of his father and their ego when Joseph told about his dream. His act of amazing maturity and assertiveness came when he encountered with the wife of potiphar's wife. He by all means would have said yes because he was always dreaming about being great and he would have taught this was an opportunity, but with Godly wisdom he was able to discern the thereat, the dilution in that call. The ability to overcome such great temptation was not with his strength but the presence of the God in his solitary life.
Paul's experience in Prison gave us a wonderful book in the bible - Philippians:
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