Time Alone with God is Foundational
Time alone with God is foundational to the believer’s walk and worship of God. Men and women in the Scriptures spent time alone with God, whether in the fields, desert or prayer closet. Regardless of how one devotes their time to worshiping God one-on-one, it is the road to becoming a worshiper of God. The examples of Moses, Joshua, and David set the bar for those who surrendered and spent time with God, which led to immense growth that was not without shortcomings. “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23, NKJV).”
Time Alone with God Does Not Secure a Perfect Sinless Walk
Time alone with God does not secure a perfect and sinless walk, but it does offer a believer to become a true worshiper of God. The worship leader who is called to lead the team and the people in the worship of God must take time to develop a relationship with God, born from the tent of meeting, highlighted in the lives of Moses and Joshua. The Psalms of David declare his heart after God regardless of the sin that transpired in his life, an example of hope for every believer in Christ.
Time Alone with God Demonstrated at the Burning Bush
The story of Moses begins when he encounters God at the burning bush, as described in Exodus chapter three, verse four. When God calls out to him, Moses responds obediently, saying, “Here I am.” Similarly, a worship leader is called and immediately responds, “Here I am.” God then instructs Moses to remove his sandals because he is standing on holy ground. Immediately, Moses covers his face in reverence for God. Moses frequently ascended the mountain to fellowship with God, worship Him, and receive instructions to share with the people of Israel. A worship leader also stands to gain much by meeting with God on the mountain, where they can worship and seek guidance on how to lead God’s people in worship.
Time Alone with God Instructs Never to Worship Idols
Moses clarified that true worship of God meant refraining from worshiping idols in Deuteronomy chapter four because when God appeared, it was not in any form like the worthless images or worldly accolades that usurp the worship of God. Moses spent forty days and nights in God’s presence on the mountain, where God revealed the instructions for the Tabernacle. “During this time, God showed Moses His plans to dwell with those he loves. He commanded Moses to construct a movable house of worship—a tabernacle, God’s dwelling place for Himself—among His people.”[1] God may not call the worship leader to such an extended stay, but the importance of spending time with God is nonetheless a “Here I am” surrendered call.
Time Alone with God is Out of Pure Devotion
It is without hesitation of notice that a worshiper of God is devoted to the immenseness of excellence of Almighty God. The worship leader and those who seek to answer the call into ministry must do so with a passion guided by the Holy Spirit. Time alone with God is a wrestle: “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.” (Ephesians 6:12, NKJV). A believer in Christ who seeks out the Lord will wrestle against the forces that want nothing more than to keep a believer away or distract from the worship of God. What creates a poignant outcome is a reliance on the power of the Holy Spirit to help ward off the attacks that will surely come in the ministry. The attacks will surely come by those closest to a person, and it is vital to accept what may transpire and not take it personally but instead alert to the enemy’s tactics.
God bless and see you on the next one.
[1] Vernon M. Whaley, Called to Worship: The Biblical Foundations of Our Response to God’s Call (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, 2009), 238, Kindle.