“ALONE AT THE THRONE”
Psalm 91:1
Introduction:
In the wonderful hymn, “Draw Me Nearer” Fanny Crosby wrote, “Oh
the pure delight of a single hour,
That before Thy Throne I spend, When I kneel in prayer, and with Thee, my God,
I commune as friend with friend!”
Her inspiring words are a recognition of the blessing and benefits we experience, when we spend time alone in the shelter of God’s Presence.
The unfortunate reality is, the demands of a modern lifestyle and a tendency to give greater attention to the flesh than the spiritual, we are often hindered from entering that ‘secret place’ where we find refuge from the forces of darkness and a clearer revelation of God’s Will and direction for our life.
According to the latest statistics, the average American picks up their phone 1500 times each week. We spend nearly five hours every day on the phone or other electronic devices, and on average, we spend three hours a day watching television.
The time required to satisfy the demands of a technological lifestyle, coupled with the responsibility of work, school, and family matters is a formidable barrier, keeping many from entering that place of renewal and revelation of which David spoke.
Oswald J. Smith, Canadian Pastor, respected author and longtime advocate for missions, was adamant about the necessity of spending time alone with God. He said, “I am perfectly confident that the man who does not spend hours alone with God will never know the anointing of the Holy Spirit. The world must be left outside until God alone fills the vision.”
The history of the Church will reveal there have been those giants of faith who shared the conviction of Oswald Smith. They discovered the benefits and blessing of spending time in that inner-sanctum of God’s Presence.
One such believer was the nineteenth century Presbyterian Minister and Missionary to India, John Hyde, who, because of his commitment to spending untold hours before God in prayer, was better known as, ‘praying Hyde,’ or ‘the apostle of prayer.’
He was known to have spent as many as thirty days and nights in uninterrupted prayer and fasting, calling upon God for a spiritual awakening in India. On other occasions, he was known to remain on his knees in deep intercession for as many as thirty six hours without eating or sleep.
His ministry of prayer was so well known, the natives referred to him as, “the man who never sleeps.”
In fact, it was reported the floor beside his bed literally bore the imprint of his knees. His devotion to being found in the ‘secret place’ of God’s Presence was remarkable and the results undeniable.
On the mission field, he was instrumental in establishing conferences in which missionaries and thousands of native workers were inspired to reach India with the gospel. His personal ministry among the villages was so successful that for years he led as many as ten people a day to the Lord.
Praying Hyde discovered, as we should, strength for the battle and the effectiveness of ministry comes from spending time alone with God in intercession.
It is understood, not everyone will emulate the devotion to prayer as was seen in the life of John Hyde, but, we can certainly be inspired by his example. We can be encouraged to spend more time in that ‘secret place’ where the noise and confusion of a world in upheaval is muted and the gloom of doubt and despair is penetrated by the light of Him Who said, “Let there be light!”(Genesis 1:3)
It is in the seclusion of God’s Presence, we are privileged to behold Him in His Majesty and Power. ‘Alone at the Throne,’ our spirit is refreshed; our strength renewed and we are empowered to, “Mount up with wings as eagles.” (Isaiah 40:31)
In the solitude of His Presence, the unlimited possibilities of our faith becomes sight and our highest spiritual potential is made clear. Little wonder Fanny Crosby was inspired to write, “O the pure delight of a single hour that before Thy Throne I spend.”
To discover that glorious reality for ourselves, it really comes down to prioritizing those things to which we give our time and attention. It is our placing a higher value on the spiritual and understanding the impact a close personal relationship with God will have upon our life.
You and I know, there are spiritual heights we have yet to reach and depths in God we have not yet probed. There are spiritual possibilities we have yet to discover and blessings we have yet to experience. In many instances, it is because we lack the willingness to make the commitment or take the time to seek the Face of God.
In 1 Chronicles, we are admonished, “Let the heart of them rejoice that seek the Lord. Seek the Lord and His strength, seek His Face continually.”
(1 Chronicles 16:10-12) The Apostle Paul in his letter to the Thessalonians admonished, “Pray without ceasing.”
(1 Thessalonians 5:17)
Perhaps you have heard the expression, “It takes time to be Holy.” It takes determination and discipline to turn our attention from the demands of the world and follow the direction of the Apostle Paul, who said, “Set your affections on things above, not on things on the earth.”
(Colossians 3:2)
The hymn writer, William Longstaff, reminded us, “Take time to be holy, the world rushes on; spend much time in secret with Jesus alone.”(Pub. Dom.)
May God open the eyes of our understanding and help us to see the importance of being, “Shut in with God in the secret place.”
For Isaiah, the ‘secret place’ was where he saw God reigning above the turmoil that had arisen as a result of the death of King Uzziah.
While those around him were caught up in frustration and fear, he slipped into the solitude of God’s Presence and there, he saw, “The Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and His train filled all the Temple.” (Isaiah 6:2)
For John, it was while alone with God on the Isle of Patmos, he received dramatic and picturesque revelation of the end time. He said, “I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s Day, and heard behind me a great voice as of a trumpet.”
(Revelation 1:10)
Alone on the house top with God in prayer, Peter saw “Heaven opened,” and was given a vision that lifted the gospel from the exclusivity of the Jews and made it available to the whole world.
History teaches us, the more time we spend, “Alone at the Throne,” the deeper will be our spiritual experience and greater will be our effectiveness in the Kingdom of God and the building of the Church of Jesus Christ.
For reasons I am not qualified to explain, many in the Body of Christ have a problem with silence in their relationship with God. They somehow feel that it is not
acceptable worship.
I am the first to say, we should sing His praise, clap our hands and “Shout unto God with a voice of triumph” (Psalm 47:1), but I also believe there is a time to be silent in His Presence. He tells us in (Psalm 46:10), “Be still and know that I am God.” There must be a time when we are silent, listening to the Voice of God.
I ask you to pause a few moments and reflect on the benefits and blessings that await us in the “Secret Place of the Most High.”
(1) It is in the secret place, we find REFUGE and RELEASE :
The Psalmist, describing his relationship with God said, “He is my refuge and fortress: my God, in Him will I trust.” (Psalm 91:1)
It is in the seclusion of the ‘secret place,’ while, ‘abiding under the shadow of the Almighty,’ we find shelter from the howling storms of fear and doubt; from the forces of darkness that threaten our security and seek to rob us of peace; in the turbulence of tribulation and trial, we can say with Dottie Rambo,
“So let the storms rage high,
The dark clouds rise,
They don’t worry me.
For I’m sheltered safe within the arms of God.”
(Sheltered In The Arms Of God: Dottie Rambo:Peer Music Ltd).
Words fail to describe the sense of security, freedom and peace we experience when we take to time to be alone with God.
David, a man who fully understood what it meant to ‘abide under the shadow of the Almighty. He said “In Thy Presence is fullness of joy; at Thy Right Hand there are pleasures for evermore.”
(Psalm 16:11)
In the seclusion of God’s Presence we experience unlimited spiritual liberty. The Apostle Paul affirmed that, saying, “Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.”
(2 Corinthians 3:17)
Sheltered from the burdens, distractions and upheavals of life, we are at liberty to express the deepest desires of our heart and glorify God in uninhibited praise. “Alone At The Throne,” we sing, we praise, we pray in a heavenly language, or simply sit silently listening to what the Holy Spirit is saying without fear of criticism or ridicule.
In the shelter of the ‘secret place,’ we are confident our worship and praise rises as a sweet smelling savor or perfume to the Throne, and our worship is acceptable in His sight.
Perhaps you have joined other believers in singing,
“Shut in with God in the secret place,
There IN THE SPIRIT beholding HIS FACE,
Gaining new power to run in the race,
Oh, I love to be shut in with God.”
If so, you have expressed the desire and importance of being “Alone At The Throne.”
It is in the REFUGE of His
Presence we hear the Lord say,
“…My peace I give unto you; not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled neither let it be afraid.”
(John 14:27)
My question today is, where may we go to find, peace that passes all understanding and joy that is unspeakable and full of Glory, or what may we experience on earth that compares to our “Abiding, under the shadow of the Almighty?” The question is rhetorical, because no such place or experience exists.
(2) In His Presence there is REVELATION and REFRESHING:
When shut in with God, it is as though the scales are removed from our eyes, and we see by faith what we cannot see with the natural eye. We see mountains that stand in our way removed. We see those who are lost saved. We see bodies healed and those in bondage delivered. We see strength for the weary and comfort for those who are troubled. We see the impossible become possible..
Like the Prophet Isaiah, we are permitted to see, “The Lord high and lifted up.” (Isaiah 6:1) We are made aware of His strength in the face of our weakness and His adequacy in the face of our inadequacy.
It is when we are, “Alone At The Throne,” His Love, Mercy, Grace and Power are revealed to us in a measure beyond that we have ever experienced.
Sitting alone on the Isle of Patmos, John, reflected on an experience unlike any he had ever known. He said, “I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s Day, and I heard behind me a great voice, as a trumpet…saying I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last.” (Revelation 1:10-11)
What He saw while in the Spirit was a preview of things to come, the details of which have given guidance and hope to believers and astounded man for generations.
May I suggest, that which is revealed to us when we are shut in with God will have a profound impact upon our relationship with God. By His Spirit, we will be led into a deeper, more personal spiritual experience and will be empowered to become a more effective instrument in His Hand.
Oh, the Revelation that is ours in His Presence! Seeing the Lord, “High and lifted up.”
There is a wonderful renewal that takes place in our spirit when we leave the turmoil of the world and enter into the glory of His Presence. Isaiah reminds us, “They that wait upon the lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run and not be weary, and they shall walk and not faint.”(Isaiah 40:31)
The perils and pitfalls of life have an abrasive effect on us. No matter how strong we may feel and how confident we face each day, there will eventually come the moment when our strength is depleted, and we stand in need of an infusion of power from on high.
I have often sung with the people of God, “He gives strength to me as I worship Him, and my mouth is filled with praise. Jesus breaks the bands as I raise my hands, giving glorious liberty.”
Many times I have had people tell me, “I came to Church today discouraged and feeling weak, but as we worshipped, I felt a renewal of strength in my heart and life.” I reminded them it was the Holy Spirit breathing new life and strength into them.
That is exactly why the Church must prayerfully seek the anointing of the Holy Spirit in our worship services. We must make a place for the move of the Spirit in our Church. He rejuvenates and restores the believer!
Perhaps you are one who only focuses on your relationship with God when in Church and in the fellowship of believers. It is, however, imperative we understand our relationship with God is a daily experience.
In (Matthew 6:11), Jesus taught His disciples to pray, “Give us this day our daily bread.” That is why I am today urging all believers to set aside time each day to spend with the Lord. I also encourage each one to find that solitary place, where you linger silently in His Presence listening for the voice of the Holy Spirit.
Recognizing the attention span of the average American in an audience is 8-10 minutes, I am realistic in my thinking and recognize it is a challenge for us to move away from the responsibilities of life into that secret place and wait in God’s Presence. If, however, we are willing to do so, there awaits wisdom and blessing that exceeds all expectations.
(3) In the solitude of His Presence, there is the REAFFIRMATION of our purpose and the reassurance of our RELATIONSHIP with God.
With the winds of societal pressures swirling about us and the ever increasing demands placed upon us by personal, family and workplace responsibilities, it is easy to lose sight of that higher purpose for which we have been called “Out of the darkness, sin and bondage, into the marvelous light of salvation and service.”
The repudiation of Christians by the unbelieving world and the seeming prosperity of the ungodly, sometimes causes us to forget who we are and for what purpose we serve in the world today.
When we shut in with God in the secret place, we discover as Peter said in his epistle, “Ye (we) are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a peculiar people.” (1 Peter 2:9)
We discover, as Jesus said in His sermon on the mount, “Ye (we) are the salt of the earth….” Ye (we) are the light of the world, a city that is set on a hill cannot be hid.”(Matthew 5:13-14)
I have often reminded the Church, we have been chosen of God to be the tabernacle or dwelling place of the Holy Ghost. We have been selected by God, to be the sole custodians of the gospel! We have been given authority over the forces of darkness, and we are that light that beams brightly upon Calvary and the atoning work of Jesus Christ.
It is when we shut the world out and find that secluded place in His Presence, we discover again who we are and the lofty purpose for which we have been called.
Somehow we must find the resolve to “Be Still” and wait. In His Presence, there is Release and Relief, Revelation and Rejuvenation. There is the Rediscovery of our purpose and a new awareness of our Relationship with God.
That higher place of spirituality is like gold hidden deep in the earth. It is only discovered by those willing to seek and find it.
The opportunity to be an exceptional man or woman of God is available to us, but it cannot be mingled with the cares of the world. Our focus must be exclusively on God and Jesus Christ our Lord.
As a boy growing up, I often heard my mom singing her favorite song, “I come to the garden alone, while the dew is still on the roses, and the voice I hear falling on my ear the Son of God discloses. And He walks with me, and He talks with me, and He tells me I am His own; and the joy we share as we tarry there, none other has ever known.”
(In The Garden:Charles Miles:pub. dom.) The years have come and gone, and her song still resonates in my heart and mind. There is something special about being, “Alone At The Throne.”
The Shepherd's Staff 