We have fast food, as well as drive-thrus for almost every type of service: Instant banking, drive-thru pharmacies, laundry drop-offs — everything is prepared in a hurry for our convenience. Unfortunately in our “have-it-now” society, we expect spirituality to happen quickly as well. We want instant miracles, sudden break-throughs, and smooth, problem-free lives.
The call of Jesus in Scripture is not centered on our need, but on His presence.
Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. ~ Matthew 11:28
He underscores this again in an account told by John…
On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. ~ John 7:37
These calls invite us to come to Jesus. As we love and worship Him, our needs are met, and necessary resources are released. The call of Jesus still rings across the centuries, “Come to Me.” However, this requires a discipline of time. Destiny comes to those who are not afraid to be alone with God.
One of the most powerful alone times I ever had with God occurred on a personal retreat several years ago.
I had set aside four days and three nights with God, in a sparse and simply furnished cabin. As I drove up nearby Dayton Mountain, an expectancy filled my heart. I had brought a CD player with worship music, along with my computer with Bible programs on it, and an unfinished book manuscript. I also brought a deep hunger and a serious need to know if I was moving with the spirit. My spiritual awakening, including tongues, had become common knowledge in my circle of acquaintances, and there was unrest among many of our traditional church members.
Once settled in the cabin, I prayed, worshiped, wrote, and finally went to bed. In the wee hours of the morning, I was summoned to the stairs of His presence. My small room became a cathedral as God awakened me to join Him. He spoke and said, “It is time for you to act!” Looking at the clock by my bed, it was 3:19 AM. I picked up my Bible and read Acts 3:19-21:
Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that He may send Jesus Christ, who was preached to you before, whom heaven must receive until the times of restoration of all things, which God has spoken by the mouth of all His holy prophets since the world began.
I had a clear answer from God—He was up to something special in our church. He was refreshing us and drawing us into His presence. It was all God’s doing and not mine. Then I reread that prophetic word, and it shook me. Jesus Christ would not return until a mighty restoration took place. God would restore to the church all that she had lost. A colossal revival was beginning in the body of Christ!
I immersed myself in the rest of the book of Acts, worshiping and feeding. Soon I came across Acts 15:16-17:
After this I will return
And will rebuild the tabernacle of David, which has fallen down;
I will rebuild its ruins,
And I will set it up;
So that the rest of mankind may seek the Lord,
Even all the Gentiles who are called by My name,
Says the Lord who does all these things.
The passage shook me. I recalled how David’s tabernacle was brought up with dancing and praise. It was a precursor to Solomon’s temple. Scripture was clear here—Jesus was coming, but not until the restoration of real praise and worship was established. As David walked, sang, danced, and ruled in God’s presence, so will God’s people do in the last days.
I walked out of that cabin far enough to get service to my cell phone, and called my answering machine back in my office to pour the revelation word out. All that week, revelation continued to pour into my soul. Alone with God, my ministry direction was affirmed, strengthened, and challenged.
So, my question is this… Is God calling you to an alone time with Him? Is God calling you into a deeper place of abiding in His presence?
If He is, then heed His call. Listen to His voice. Allow His presence to permeate your life.
The Heart of Abba - Ron Phillips 