But Jesus often withdrew to the wilderness for prayer.
Luke 5:16 NLT
http://bible.com/116/luk.5.16.NLT
When was the last time that I withdrew from the world? Not just rising up early to pray before the distractions of the day arrive, but truly withdrawing from the world, going out into the wilderness to spend a day alone with the Lord.
Yes, I like doing this occasionally – a retreat from the world. And many times it is just me going out by myself, and other times it is with friends – but the focus is to step away from the hustle and bustle of the world and get things back into an eternal perspective, back into a Kingdom mindset.
Am I focused on the little things, worrying about the details that really don’t matter in the end? Or am I resting upon the one thing that does matter eternally, my relationship with God – lived out as my faith, my discipleship, my example to others of not being a stumbling block.
Sometimes a strategic retreat is necessary for the battle to be won. Sometimes we must lure the enemy into the valley, into the wilderness with us, so that the enemies of God can be struck down mightily by the hand of God, not just fought by the sword.
The valley of death is not for our end and destruction when we walk through it, for we are eternal children of the Most High. He walks the valley with us and leads us through to the green pastures and living waters on the other side, friend. Don’t fear the valley, don’t fear the trials – His blessings are on the other side, friends. And those eternal blessings far outshine even our wildest imagination.
Is it time for a strategic retreat from the world? Is it time to lay down the distractions and temptations and pleasures and comforts of this world and step out into the wilderness, trusting only in the Lord and seeking Him more earnestly?
Harold J. Ballinger 