Text: Mark 1:35-37
Memory verse:
“Now in the morning, having risen a long while before daylight, He went out and departed to a solitary place; and there He prayed.” Mark 1:35
“Two is a company three is a crowd” is a phrase which is used more in love relationship to mean that a third person is not welcome when two lovers want to be alone with each other. That is, privacy which is needed in love relationship is interrupted when there is a third party. Yes, no marital or love relationship can grow without private communion between the two. Likewise, our relationship with the Lord can’t thrive when we don’t have private communion with Him. God cherishes the fellowship we have with one another, but longs also for a one-to-one relationship.
While Jesus had a wonderful public relationship, it was common to see Him withdraw from the crowd to be alone with His Father.
“So He Himself often withdrew into the wilderness and prayed.”
(Luke 5:16). Notice the phrase used here, “often withdrew”. It was not something He did occasionally. The Berkeley version of the NT says, “Jesus however habitually withdrew”. It was habitual with Him. It was His custom (Luke 22:39-41).
This private fellowship is commonly referred to among believers as ‘Quiet Time’. Everyone who made noticeable impact in the kingdom treasured the place of personal communion with God. And so was Abraham (Gen 19:27).
Being alone with God is moving from the level of casual relationship to a level of intimacy in communion. Abraham enjoyed such wonderful intimacy with God to the extent that God wouldn’t act against Sodom and Gomorrah without intimating him (Gen 28:17-22). Secrets are shared not in public or casual relationship but in private or intimate relationships. Sacrificing other things and demands to stay alone and have fellowship with someone is indeed a mark of love. Love is nurtured in private communion. Is your private communion with the Lord occasional or habitual? Do you treasure it above other relationships or things?
Prayer points
1. Father, please, help me to treasure the relationship with You above any other in Jesus name.
2. Father, please, help me to be disciplined about maintaining a habitual private communion with You in Jesus name.
Today’s declarations
1. I treasure my private fellowship with God so I withdraw from others and set aside my phone just to be alone with Him.
2. I wake up early and shut out interruptions to have private fellowship with God because deep secrets are shared in private.
Contact: pastor@thf.org.ng