Craig Smith • Silence and Solitude • October 2, 2022
For those God foreknew He also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brothers. (Rom. 8:29)
If you want to be
, then you have to
…
Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives’ tales; rather, train yourself to be godly. For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come. (1 Tim. 4:7-8)
Common training barriers…
(Heb. 5:11-12)
(Mark 6:30-31)
Holy habit #1 – The gift of silence and solitude…
But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed. (Luke 5:16)
• It encourages
in your life – “In your anger do not sin; when you are on your beds, search your hearts and be silent. Offer right sacrifices and trust in the LORD.” (Psalm 4:4-5)
• It encourages
in your life – “But I have stilled and quieted my soul; like a weaned child with its mother, like a weaned child is my soul within me.” (Psalm 131:2)
• It clarifies
for your life – “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. Simon and his companions went to look for Him, and when they found Him, they exclaimed, ‘Everyone is looking for you!’ Jesus replied, ‘Let us go somewhere else – to the nearby villages – so I can preach there also. That is why I have come.’” (Mark 1:35-38)
• It teaches how to be “
” in your life – “Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for Him…” (Psalm 37:7)
• It allows
time with
in your life – “…‘Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.’ So they went away by themselves in a boat to a solitary place.” (Mark 6:31-32)
Silence and solitude remind us that we are
human
not
human
…
Be still, and know that I am God. (Psalm 46:10a)
