Solitude

And, behold, the LORD passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, . . . but the LORD was not in the wind: and after the wind an earthquake; but the LORD was not in the earthquake: and after the earthquake a fire; but the LORD was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice. And it was so, when Elijah heard it, that he wrapped his face in his mantle, and went out, and stood in the entering in of the cave. And, behold, there came a voice unto him. —1 Kings 19:11–13, KJV

I can truly appreciate how Elijah felt on that fateful day when he had to run for his life from an angry woman. He must have felt elated after he had accomplished such a feat for the cause of God. He had all the prophets of Baal slain but now his life was threatened. All alone, he felt forsaken by God and wanted to die. God saw him as he lay asleep under the juniper tree and later manifested His presence to him in a still, small Voice.

God comes to us in the silence of our thoughts.

In the midst of our pain, He shows up—sometimes unexpectedly—but He is always there. It is in solitude where I find peace. It is in silence that I can steal away to Jesus and hold sweet communion with Him. When we are alone, just the two of us, I experience true peace. I am comfortable enough to unveil myself, remove my pretenses, and be who I am. I confess my faults—those hidden, darling sins known only to Him and me. I feel free to be myself, and so I tell Him about my loneliness, my isolation, and my want to just be by myself in my little world. I let Him come in, and I open up to Him. He is such a wonderful Friend. I know I can trust Him. He will never disappoint me. No matter what I do that is contrary to His will, when I confess my sins, He will always say, “I forgive.” He will never stop loving me. In solitude, we hear the voice of God more distinctly, just as Elijah did in 1 Kings 19.

When we feel discouraged and depressed to the point of wanting to die, when we feel all alone, God will send His angel to encourage and strengthen us, and He did with Elijah. Oh, how He renews us, picks us up, and sets us firmly on our feet! May the Lord help us, dear sisters, to stop, wait, and listen for His voice as He comes to rescue and restore us.

Kollis Salmon-Fairweather