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 VICTORY IN ALONENESS  

     "Look unto Abraham your father and unto Sarah that bare you: for I called him alone, and blessed him, and increased him." [Isaiah 51:2].

       One of the outstanding features of the walk of the believer desiring to "go on to perfection", is that of separation, of being ALONE. It is one of those things so hard for the natural man to understand, and even harder for the "called out" to explain. The whys and wherefores, even when understood in the spirit, cannot easily be expressed in words. But as faulty as our expression may be, we trust that the sharing of these thoughts shall be of encouragement and confirmation to others who are walking this pathway.
      To speak of being alone, although it readily implies separation, need not mean just being cut off from physical contact with people, to be cast out upon some lonely island, or isolated in the vast wastelands of some desert, or yet to be hidden away in some mountain retreat. To belong to a certain realm, but to have no one else of that realm near by to fellowship with, can leave one with a keen sense of real loneliness. Separations of a mental realm can be very real, especially when one is bereft of all those of like mind and thought. Or again, one speaking a different language than those about him is quite separate and alone in the midst of the throngs.
      But when this "aloneness" is carried into the realm of the spirit, it is even more intensified. There is a language of those who "dwell deep" in God that is utterly foreign to those of lesser experience. The more one's life is "hid with Christ in God" [Colossians 3:3], with their "conversation (manner of behaviour) in heaven (controlled by the Spirit)," [Philippians 3:20], the more they become pilgrims and strangers to this present world system.
      It is an essential part of our training to be disciplined with certain degrees of "aloneness", for there are certain ministries to be fulfilled which shall require vessels which have been so exercised. But before we proceed into considering that which lies ahead, let us go back into the historical record to observe some of the ways in which God used ALONENESS in His purpose, and how people experienced this particular inworking of God.
      There is a fundamental factor that belongs to all true Israelites, especially the spiritual remnant of natural Israel, and that is a GOD-APPOINTED SEPARATION, aloneness. Our scripture text makes it clear-"Look unto Abraham you father, I CALLED HIM ALONE..." A divine call of separation was placed upon him, and later reaffirmed upon his seed, and it is still inherent in the Israel of God today.
      How clear the call came to Abraham, "Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto a land that I will shew thee." [Genesis 12:1]. "Urged on by faith Abraham when he was called, obeyed and went forth to a place which he was destined to receive as an inheritance; and he went, although he did not know or trouble his mind about where he was to go. Prompted by faith he dwelt as a temporary resident in the land which was designated in the promise ( of God, though he was as a stranger) in a strange country, living in tents with Isaac and Jacob, fellow heirs with him of the same promise." [Hebrews 11:8-9, Amplified].
      In due time the Lord caused the family of Jacob to go down into Egypt, there to sojourn as strangers in a strange land. And if, during the intervening years, some of the Israelites had begun to compromise and be like the Egyptians among whom they dwelt, as it drew near to the time of their departure from Egypt, GOD CAUSED THE DISTINCTION TO BECOME MORE PRONOUNCED. In fact, during the time of the plagues, we read, "And I will sever (Hebrew text, put a difference) in that day the land of Goshen, in which My people dwell...and I will put a division between My people and thy people (the Egyptians):..." [Exodus 8:22-23].    Israel was brought up out of Egypt, led through the wilderness, A LONELY PEOPLE, UNLIKE ALL THE NATIONS THEY PASSED BY, and yet how precious is the Word, "For the Lord's portion is His people; Jacob is the lot of His inheritance. He found him in a desert land, and in the waste howling wilderness; He led him about, He instructed him, He kept him as the apple of His eye.-So the Lord ALONE did lead him, and there was no strange god with him." [Deut. 32:9-10].
      WONDERFUL! The Lord alone did lead him! A sovereign God leading a separated people. There were no strange gods among them at that time, they were alone, only alone---not the impulses of the flesh, not the desire of others, one God was with them, our Lord God Jehovah. Would to God that the same thing could be said of the "called out" of today. Oh, that those apprehended by the Spirit, called out to become His peculiar people, would have no strange gods among them. There are indeed some very straJ1ge gods in the land today, as well as some very strange ideas and theologies. May the Holy Spirit cleanse us of all such, until we are abandoned wholly unto the Lord, to cleave only unto HIM.
      The Lord ALONE did lead him. How hard this is for people to grasp. "When He, the Spirit of truth, is come, He will guide you into all truth." [John 16 :13].
      Thank God for those rare individuals who are willing for God alone to lead them. They will not settle for less, nay, they are not satisfied with less, it must be that sovereign quickening of the Holy Spirit in their own life. Although others might lean heavily upon personal directive prophecies, those who must be led by God alone will find that such does not satisfy them, for they cannot take direction through others, only at best do others serve to confirm what God has already spoken to them. Dictatorial dogmas and carnal commandments of men cannot bind them, they must be free to obey the Voice of the Spirit dwelling within them. True, it is a strange walk, it sets them apart from all those who prefer to get their orders from the religious systems of the day. They are strangers to those who lean upon others for their directions. They are a peculiar brand of people-these whom the LORD ALONE doth lead.
      It matters not if the thing seems good to be done, or if family and friends seriously desire it to be so, they seek only to BECOME THE WILL OF THE FATHER, and He alone-not the impulses of the flesh, not the desire of others,  but HE ALONE MUST LEAD THEM. Ah, yes, we repeat, they are a strange people, they are also a blessed people who "hear not the voice of a stranger", but only the Voice of their Shepherd.
      "HE calleth His own sheep by name, and leadeth them out. And when He putteth forth His own sheep, HE goeth before them, and the sheep follow Him: for they know His voice. And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers." [John 10:3-5].
      Thus Israel was led, a lonely people, through the desert, through the wilderness, into a strange land, to yet dwell alone. "For from the top of the rocks I see him, and from the hills I behold him: lo, the people SHALL DWELL ALONE, and shall not be reckoned among the nations." [Numbers 23:9]. "Israel then shall dwell in safety ALONE." [Deut. 33:28].
      It was not an easy life, to be so separated, so alone, different from all other nations, serving an invisible God, being His witness to all men. And so in due time they clamoured for an earthly king, and requested of the prophet Samuel, "-make us a king to judge us like all the nations." [1 Samuel 8:5]. How very tragic! What sorrow they went into when they wanted to be like all the nations. Yes, and how it grieves us today when we see one called, separated to walk their path alone with God, and then they begin to "think down" on that walk, begin to compromise and mix with the "other nations", to take on the garbled speech and confused doctrines, worldly appearances as all the religious harlots of Babylon. What sorrow of heart shall come to those who forsake their call with God, who turn back to become entangled again with the yoke of bondage, just so that they might be like other men and not have to be alone. Surely the "alone" walk with God is not popular with men, but it holds real joy and victory for those who will pay the price of self-abandonment to thus become ONE IN HIM.
      Even when Israel backslid, turning more and more to the ways of other nations, and finally God's time for chastening overtook them, and He scattered them all among the nations whom they desired to be like, once again giving them their request, but sending leanness into their soul, (Psalm 106:15), now they lost their own identity and became identified with those nations among whom they were dispersed, yet, even then, this quality, this feature of "aloneness" followed them. The prophet Hosea saw this when he declared, "Israel is swallowed up: now shall they be among the nations as a vessel wherein is no pleasure. For they are gone up to Assyria, A WILD ASS ALONE BY HIMSELF..." [Hosea 8:8-9].
      The ass was considered an unclean animal according to the law, and the word "wild" certainly signifies their rebellious, undisciplined state. But even so, when they had "turned every man unto his own way." [Isaiah 53:6], and refused to serve the Lord, to walk alone with Him, even yet this characteristic remained with them, and THEY WERE ALONE IN THEIR INIQUITY. The other nations, godless as they might have been, still could not closely fellowship with them. Israel was a wild ass alone by himself.
      Why? why must it be so? And surely many an Israelite today, rebelling against the will of God, trying to go their own self-centered way, finds that they are still alone. For all their desire to be like the rest of the world, they still are misfits, and they end up alone. Yet, is it not to be expected? Surely the Word of God plainly declares that "the gifts and calling of God are without repentance." [Romans 11:29]. God has not revoked His call- "Look unto Abraham your father, FOR I CALLED HIM ALONE." Then Israel as a people were separated unto the Lord, TO DWELL ALONE, and not be reckoned among the nations. This calling still is resting upon them, and though they be scattered far, swallowed up among all the nations of the earth, and utterly rebellious, going their own way, still they are under that calling; we repeat, it has not been revoked, it abides upon them.
      How well we remember over the years, when others were interested in their parties and good times, yet because of the inward sense of the call of God which was reaffirmed personally, there could not be a full entrance into the spirit of the occasion. There was a sense of aloneness, a sense of separation, not at all understood, but there it was nevertheless. And how often through the years has this same thing been told by many who have shared a like experience. Misfits, never quite in the groove with the rest of the world, even when we wanted to be "with them", yet because of being apprehended to walk with God, the "call of aloneness" is there to inwork its purpose and fulfill God's plan.
      How keenly the Psalmist must have felt this when he said, "I watch, and am as a sparrow ALONE upon the house top." [Psalm 102:7]. Others could mingle with their families, could share their lives together with their friends, but how often David was alone. In his youth he was out in the fields caring for the sheep, and later on he was out in the wilderness, keeping away from Saul who sought to kill him. But all of this was being used by God to train and develop him for that hour when he would be king. Surely the throne is a realm separate from all other realms, and though David was able to receive both the high and the low, able to help both the rich and the poor, and was a mighty king, beloved of the Lord, and much in favour with his people, yet, to be sure, it was a lonely walk.
      And again today, God has a company being prepared to be "kings and priests unto God." [Revelation 1:6], and they need this inworking of His grace. Need it be pointed out? Surely it is a realm separate from all the present systems of this world. To become a part of this calling is to find all the training and processing includes many aspects of aloneness. Nevertheless, GOD SHALL HAVE A PEOPLE WHO ARE ALL HIS, He alone shall lead them. By His grace we would be numbered among that company.
      The vision of "sonship" burns brightly in the hearts I of many today. Deep within their being is a sense of destiny which nothing under the sun, only GOD can satisfy. Thus it is vital that we "consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus." [Hebrews 3:1], "Who in the days of His flesh. ..though He were a Son, yet learned He obedience by the things which He suffered." [Hebrews 5:7-8]. His earthly life was MARKED BY ALONENESS!
      His teaching was different than anything given forth by the scribes of the day, and even His friends were prone to say, "He is beside Himself." [Mark 3:21]. While others took their ease, "in the morning, rising up a great while before day, He went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed." [Mark 1:35]. His only respite from the many demands and pressures placed upon Him by the multitudes was to withdraw to some isolated place where He could be alone. "And He withdrew Himself into the wilderness, and prayed." [Luke 5:16]. And when, because of His miracles, Jesus knew they would come and try to take Him by force, to make Him a king, "He departed again into a mountain Himself ALONE." [John 6:15].
      There is no need to cover all the incidents in His life which bespeak of this aloneness, for surely, though He was ready and willing to stoop to help the weakest of men, yet He had not one to whom He could pour out all the innermost secrets of His heart. His disciples constantly failed to grasp the portent of what He taught them, and He knew they would continue to walk in the dark until they were endued with the Holy Spirit, Who then would bring all things to their remembrance, and give them an insight into the true meaning of what He had said. Thus, even with His twelve disciples following close beside Him, He was alone.
      But was He really alone? Ah, here is the joy of the secret, for He declared, "For I am not alone, but I and the Father that sent Me." [John 8:16]. Again, "He that sent Me is with Me, the Father hath not left Me alone; for I do always those things that please Him." [John 8:29].
      And when the hour of the Cross drew nigh, He told His own disciples, "Behold, the hour cometh, yea, is now come, that ye shall be scattered, every man to his own, and SHALL LEAVE ME ALONE: AND YET I AM NOT ALONE, BECAUSE THE FATHER IS WITH ME." [John 16:32]. What a triumphant walk! No wonder He could take all the isolation and loneliness about Him, He was alone, and yet not alone. And neither are we ever alone today, though in the natural there is not one with us.
      It was only in the apex of the Cross, when finally the absolute part of the sacrifice was to be made, that suddenly Jesus felt bereft of the Father who had ever been with Him, and He cried out with anguish of soul, "My God, My God, why hast Thou forsaken Me." [Matthew 27:46]. Everything turned black, and the darkness covered the earth- it was aloneness in the highest degree, and yet there was no shrinking back, but that CONFIDENT COMMITTAL into the hands of God of His very spirit. "What shall I say? Father, save Me from this hour: but for this cause came I unto this hour." [John 12:27]. The flesh would suffer deeply, but there was the inner triumph which prevailed. There have been many paintings of the crucifixion, according to the eye of the various artists who sought to express what they saw and felt pertained  to that hour, but there is one which stands out in our own memory above all others, and it was a painting that pictured Jesus Christ standing before the Cross, on Calvary's hill, and with the most triumphant look upon His face He was prepared for that hour when all "aloneness" would be climaxed, while He would "taste death for every man." [Hebrews 2:9]. It matters not what the extreme of aloneness might be, THROUGH CHRIST we are able to face it triumphantly, walking in His steps.
      As the Master, so the servant. "A pupil is not superior to his teacher, but every one (when he is) completely trained -readjusted, restored, set to rights and perfected -will be like his teacher." [Luke 6:40, Amplified]. Thus all the elect shall also undergo something of this aloneness. The more our life is conformed to His, the more we are made to experience the separation as did our Lord. "It is good that one should hope and wait quietly for the salvation -the safety and ease -of the Lord. It is good for a man that he bear the yoke     (of divine disciplinary dealings) in his youth. Let him SIT ALONE uncomplaining and silent in hope, because God has laid the yoke upon him (for his benefit)." [Lamentations 3:26-28, Amplified].
      Even the Apostle Paul knew some of this, as we read, "At my first answer no man stood with me, but all forsook me: I pray God that it may not be laid to their charge. Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me..." [2 Timothy 4:16-17]. Significant to note, the word "strengtheneth" comes from the Greek word meaning, TO BE MADE POWERFUL INWARDLY. Ah, yes, here was Paul's secret. He was alone, and yet not alone. There was One standing with him who made him powerful inwardly, giving him the strength and fortitude to stand all alone, and also causing him to prevail, to gain the victory, to the glory of God. "But the salvation of the righteous is of the Lord: He is their strength in the time of trouble." [Psalm 37:39]. "I will fear no evil: FOR THOU ART WITH ME; Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me." [Psalm 23:4].
      Sometimes I wonder how much we really want the Lord to fulfill our vision of conformity to His image, to become part of the FIRSTFRUITS. We know it will mean life- life more abundantly. But have we considered that it also means we shall be DIFFERENT from the rest of mankind, those who have not yet been made "alive in Christ." Jesus declared, "They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world." [John 17:16]. While Paul stated, "-the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world." [Galatians 6:14]. All of the present little aspects of "ALONENESS" are being used to prepare and fit us for the hour when we shall be completely loosed from this world's system, no longer identified with it in any manner. Yes, our very bodies shall be changed in their atomical structure, and the last vestige of the carnal mind shall be replaced with the mind of Christ. Such a people shall be entirely A NEW CREATION, and they shall stand out alone, separated from this present world's system. True, they shall minister to those of this world, but THEIR LIFE will be of another sphere.
      "Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and Thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by Thy name, O Lord God of hosts. I sat not in the assembly of the mockers, nor rejoiced; I SAT ALONE BECAUSE OF THY HAND..." [Jeremiah 15:16-17].
      The hand of the Lord rested upon him, the Word of the Lord was the very joy and rejoicing of his heart –and what was the result? I SAT ALONE! Many a man has left off the pursuit of truth, ceased to pay the price for divine revelation, simply because it meant aloneness.
 
                                    Was ever man so lonely, was ever man so blue,
                                    As he who searches onward for truth yet unborn-
                                          new?
                                    When realms once so familiar as strangers have
                                          become,
                                    And voices once articulate first stammer, then are
                                          dumb.
                                    When answers become question, and thoughts have lost
                                          their rhyme.
                                    While pressures seem unending, and hope is "marking
                                          time."
                                    When all that once held reason no more can be
                                          explained,
                                    When light removed its shining for shadows that
                                          remained.
                                    When life so freely given is measured back in
                                          death,
                                    And only God sustaining, continues breath by
                                          breath.
                                    Thank God for those who follow as He alone doth      
                                          lead,
                                    E'en when the path is rugged, e'en when their hearts
                                          do bleed.
                                    The night shall turn to dawning, their faith shall
                                          become sight,
                                    New truth shall burst upon them, shall flood their path
                                      with light.

       Much more could be said, but the Spirit is able to quicken to each of us that which we need for personal challenge and understanding. Yet we must include Micah 7:14-16. "Feed Thy people with Thy rod, the flock of thine heritage, WHICH DWELL SOLITARY (ALONE) in the wood, in the midst of Carmel: let them feed in Bashan and Gilead, as in the days of old. According to the days of Thy coming out of the land of Egypt will I shew unto him marvelous things. The nations shall see and be confounded at all their might: ..." Yes, "Look unto Abraham your father...FOR I CALLED HIM ALONE, AND BLESSED HIM, AND INCREASED HIM." There might be a lot of aloneness, dwelling solitary in the wood, but there shall also be a divine visitation when GOD shall minister unto His own- to bless them, to increase them. Truly, weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning. "For since the beginning of the world men have not heard, nor perceived by the ear, neither hath the eye seen, O God, beside Thee, what He hath prepared for him that waiteth for Him." [Isaiah 64:4].
  
                                                            THE LORD ALONE DID LEAD THEM
 
                                             The Lord alone did lead them, what blessed words these,
                                            And dare I ask the same thing, when bowed upon
                                                      my knees ?
                                            As Abraham was called out, not knowing where
                                                      he went,
                                            And yet he did not worry, nor anxious moments spent.
                                            The Lord became his refuge, his strength to e'er obey,
                                            And nought could dim the vision which girded up
                                                    his way.
                                            The Lord alone did lead them, we read of Israel, too,
                                            Away from Egypt's bondage, to live their life anew.
                                            Through deserts dry and barren He traced for
                                                  them the way,
                                            His presence went before them, He gave to them
                                                  the prey.
                                            He gave a cloud by day-time, pillar of fire by night,
                                            No other nation ever was guided by such
                                                  light.
                                            No other gods were with them, no strange and
                                                  foreign creed,
                                            Jehovah was their Leader, sufficient for each
                                                  need.
                                            The Lord alone did lead them, again it shall be
                                                  told,
                                            For yet today a people by grace are waxing
                                                  bold-
                                            To cast their all upon Him, His sovereignty to
                                                  reign
                                            Within their hearts for ever, all else shall fade
                                                  and wane.
                                            Alone- they walk by spirit, alone~ they seek
                                                  His face,
                                            Assured that HE is Victor, with Him they run
                                                  this race. 

       ^{__________________________________________________________________________________________________________
(1)  Prinzing, Ray and Doris. THE TRIUMPHANT WAY!. (now out of print), Boise, Idaho 83705}

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