Sacred Whispers Blog

“He went up on a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone.”

Matthew 14:23 (NKJV)

One of the blessings of the old-time Sabbath day was the calmness, restfulness, and holy peace that came from having a time of quiet solitude away from the world. There is a special strength that is born in solitude. Crows travel in flocks, and wolves in packs, but the lion and the eagle are usually found alone.

Strength is found not in busyness and noise but in quietness. For a lake to reflect the heavens on its surface, it must be calm. Our Lord loved the people who flocked to Him, but there are numerous accounts in the Scriptures of His going away from them for a brief period of time. On occasion He would withdraw from the crowd and quite often would spend His evenings alone in the hills. Most of His ministry was performed in the towns and cities by the seashore, but He loved the hills more and at nightfall would frequently seclude Himself in their peaceful heights.

The one thing we need today more than anything else is to spend time alone with our Lord, sitting at His feet in the sacred privacy of His blessed presence. Oh, how we need to reclaim the lost art of meditation! Oh, how we need “the secret place” (Psalm 91:1 kjv) as part of our lifestyle! Oh, how we need the power that comes from waiting upon God! Selected

It is good to live in the valley sweet,

Where the work of the world is done,

Where the reapers sing in the fields of wheat,

And work till the setting sun.

But beyond the meadows, the hills I see

Where the noise of traffic cease,

And I follow a Voice who calls out to me

From the hilltop space of peace.

Yes, to live is sweet in the valley fair,

And work till the setting sun;

But my spirit yearns for the hilltop’s air

When the day and its work are done.

For a Presence breathes o’er the silent hills,

And its sweetness is living yet;

The same deep calm and the hillside fills,

As breathed over Olivet.

Every life that desires to be strong must have its “Most Holy Place” (Exodus 26:33) into which only God enters.^[1]

ENDING THOUGHTS

By Pastor Marlin D. Harris

That last phrase of Madam Cowman’s devotional, “Every life that desires to be strong must have its own “Holy Place” (Exodus 26:33) into which only God enters” is perhaps the greatest, but most unheeded, spiritual truth of all of Christian experience.  Every Christian longs for power, victory and Divine blessedness, but so few realize that such power is only borne out of regular and extended time in the ‘mountaintop’. This sacred space is not a physical location, but it is a condition of the heart, and becomes the unique source of our spiritual vitality. When you make it to this mountaintop, as Jesus did many late evenings, and many early mornings, you will find that your life takes on a holy glow; an aura that comes from quiet communion with God.  There is a holy boldness that accompanies the life that is spent in the presence of God.  What great power have you and I forfeited because we have failed to climb the mountain and spend the morning with God.

We live in a world filled with distractions that constantly demand our attention, pulling us in every direction and leaving us tired, worn, and weary. Do we not hear the invitation being extended for us to come to the “hilltop of peace”? I know you have a day filled with responsibilities that demand your attention.  I know you have a family that needs your near constant care.  I know the clock ticks with unforgiving rapidity and yet another day is lost to the tyrannical rule of time. But, none of these are reasons why you shouldn’t retreat to the mountaintop; actually, these are all the reasons why you ‘must’!  You have too much on your plate to not operate in the power you get from the “Holy Place”.  You are in too great a demand to attempt to go it alone without God.  A quick prayer, won’t do for the kind of challenges you face and the kind of dilemmas you must constantly confront.  You need the mountaintop.  I assure you, you are not more busy than Jesus, and you are certainly not in as much demand as He was.  And if He made time for the mountaintop, then so must you, and so must I.  As Isaiah 30:15 reminds us, “In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and confidence shall be your strength.”

So, let us not neglect the sacred art of retreating to the Holy Place.  Go! Run to the hills where your help comes from, and cast our cares upon the Lord.  When you return, you will have the fragrance of His presence over your life, and those you encounter will take note that you “have been with Jesus”.

PRAYER

Gracious Father, I want you to know that I realize how much I need my time with You.  Your guiding words, Your empowering Spirit, Your calming voice is so desperately needed in my loud and demanding life.  Forgive me for neglecting to meet you on the mountaintop of my soul.  I renew my commitment to turn from those things that have robbed me of my time with You.  Teach me the value of not facing my day, until I have sat with You and received Your heart the day ahead.  In Jesus name, Amen.

DAILY SPRITUAL DISCIPLINE

Creating Your Sacred Space

Set aside intentional time this week to retreat into solitude with God. Identify a specific place where you can be alone—whether it’s a quiet corner in your home, a park bench, or a nearby hilltop. Make it your “Most Holy Place,” a sanctuary where you can meet with God without distractions.

1. Preparation: Bring a Bible, journal, or a favorite devotional book with you.
2. Meditation: Begin by meditating on the life of Jesus, who often withdrew to the hills to be alone with the Father.
3. Prayer: Open your heart in prayer. Speak to God about your life, your struggles, your joys, and your desires. Then, allow space for silence.
4. Reflection: Use your journal to record what you sense God is revealing to you in the stillness. Write down any insights, prayers, or scriptures that come to mind.
5. Commitment: As you leave your sacred space, commit to creating this rhythm regularly. Let the calm and strength you receive in these moments influence how you approach the demands of daily life.

As you practice this discipline, remember that strength is found not in busyness, but in quietness. Let God renew you in the sacred solitude of His presence.

^[1] Cowman, L. B. E. Streams in the Desert Morning and Evening: 365-Day Devotional. Zondervan, 2017.