Tuesday, March 3, 2009

Solitary places

I was doing my Beth Moore homework the other day and had one of those jump-off-the-page verses. The kind that you know that you should pay attention to. Extra attention to.

The verses were from Luke 8 where Jesus encounters the demon-possessed man on the other side of the lake. Rather than me paraphrasing it, here it is:
Luke 8:27-31
27When Jesus stepped ashore, he was met by a demon-possessed man from the town. For a long time this man had not worn clothes or lived in a house, but had lived in the tombs. 28When he saw Jesus, he cried out and fell at his feet, shouting at the top of his voice, "What do you want with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg you, don't torture me!" 29For Jesus had commanded the evil spirit to come out of the man. Many times it had seized him, and though he was chained hand and foot and kept under guard, he had broken his chains and had been driven by the demon into solitary places.

30Jesus asked him, "What is your name?"

"Legion," he replied, because many demons had gone into him. 31And they begged him repeatedly not to order them to go into the Abyss.


The demon actually drove him into solitary places and had a plan to isolate the man, drive him into a pit and let him think he was there all by himself. Alone, naked and homeless (v27).

Anyone besides me ever feel that way? And then I blame myself for getting into a pity party.

Beth Moore had us look at the contrast of Jesus going to a solitary place in Mark 6.
Mark 6:30-32
30The apostles gathered around Jesus and reported to him all they had done and taught. 31Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, "Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest."

32So they went away by themselves in a boat to a solitary place.
She then asked us to compare and contrast the different situations and then posed the question something like "how can we tell if our times of isolation are being used by God or by the enemy?"

The answer can be found in the above scriptures. If we are receiving rest, then the isolation is from God. If not, our time of isolation is probably from the enemy.

This has helped me tremendously over the last week where I have found myself in isolation (in my mind and thoughts). I have asked - am I feeling at peace and rest, or anxious and uptight? Then, I am better equipped to pray accordingly.

I started to do a more exhaustive study on this and found some interesting things, but just don't have the time right now to really formulate my thoughts. If this stuck out at you, I would suggest doing a study for yourself. I searched on "wilderness" and saw all points in the Bible where this word was listed (using the original Greed word - eremos).

Just to whet your appetite, here is the meaning of that word:

1) solitary, lonely, desolate, uninhabited

- used of places- a desert, wilderness, deserted places, lonely regions

- used of persons - deserted by others, deprived of the aid and protection of others, especially of friends, acquaintances, kindred

One meaning had "a flock deserted by its shepherd"

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Maybe someday, life will get back to a routine, but right now, I am trying to just figure out what the schedule is!!! Baseball/softball has started ... the team of men is coming the 14th ... we have a lot to accomplish before they arrive ... homeschool., etc. ALL of this is GOOD (even GREAT), but it will just take a little bit before I can wrap my brain around it :)

God's Blessings to each of you, and I would love to hear feedback of what you are learning!

6 comments:

  1. We have have 2 very busy, and very hectic weeks. Mickey & I were talking about it a little while ago and I said I wished things would slow down a bit, and then I said, but everything we are doing is important to us and those around us and I wouldn't want to cut one bit of it out.....so we'll remain in this busy whirl for awhile. That was rambling I know, but it's what I learned, or rather realized, today.
    Susan

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  2. God has sent my Husband and I into the "wilderness". And when God sends you, you may be deprived of the presents of people, because God has something to teach you. And the Solidarity is a little lonely of not being with people, but what you gain is more teaching by your Spirit. For example, you can help your children "learn to learn" by leaving them alone to work out a problem, if you
    "show" them how every time, they will only learn to come to you to work out the problem. It is true, that if your wilderness is caused by Satan, you won't be at peace in your wildness, but if you are placed in the wilderness by God, you will grow, and be nurtured, and fed by the Spirit of peace, and the God that is hope and the Love of Jesus. Be blessed with peace, hope & Love and with more of Him today than yesterday.

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  3. I may be like the Israelites and stay in a place of "wilderness" until I am old, but I hope I learn the lessons before then. I have felt in the past more in the wilderness than I do now, and I have learned that His presence is all I need, despite all else I may want.

    One thing that I am learning, currently, is that prayer is powerful, which I often fail to realize or see, because I don't see immediate results. I believe God has given me specific promises, but I waiver in faith, because I do not pray for their fulfillment. Because I do not see results, I see my hope wain, but God wants me to come to a place where my faith increases even when I don't see results.

    I was just about to post something about this...

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  4. This is deep and some interesting thoughts/comments. I like the following that you wrote: "how can we tell if our times of isolation are being used by God or by the enemy?"

    The answer can be found in the above scriptures. If we are receiving rest, then the isolation is from God. If not, our time of isolation is probably from the enemy.

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  5. I have had a couple of whirl wind weeks here with my family..... "things" seem to take up TIME. I have been learning to that when I am alone with my thoughts (ie solitary in my car with my job)- I am sometimes wondering if GOD is speaking to me or is the enemy jumping in to make me take the things I have given to GOD back -- me wanting to FIX the things instead of having PATIENCE, FAITH, and TRUSTING in HIM to give me WISDOM, and for things to work out the way they are suppose to.
    Thanks for the in depth thoughts and to help me learn more.... LOL

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  6. Be blessed, strengthened and refreshed!

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