Everyone who followed Jesus closely would observe Him leaving the group often.  He would get away by Himself, walking a good distance away, to pray to God, His Father.  It probably didn’t faze the followers when He did this and t’s not surprising to us either who are called to do the work of God.  We get it, right?  Even the most extroverted, whose energy comes from being around people, need to chill.  Those inclined to be introverted can’t imagine life without a place to go where they can be alone with their thoughts as people exhaust them.

But do we really “get it”?  Do we understand what Jesus is really doing in his getaways from the followers?  Mm, I don’t think we do completely.

Luke 6, The Message

The Twelve Apostles

^12-16 At about that same time he climbed a mountain to pray. He was there all night in prayer before God. The next day he summoned his disciples; from them he selected twelve he designated as apostles:

Simon, whom he named Peter,

Andrew, his brother,

James,

John,

Bartholomew,

Matthew,

Philip,

Thomas,

James, son of Alphaeus,

Simon, called the Zealot,

Judas, son of James,

Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him.

WHAT DO WE LEARN—HOW DO WE RESPOND?

We learn in this short but meaningful passage what Jesus does BEFORE doing anything of significance that will affect God’s Kingdom work.

Jesus, Son of God/Son of Man goes BEFORE God to pray God’s Kingdom come, God’s will be done. 

Jesus spends all night in prayer BEFORE God, as necessary, until Jesus knows exactly what to say, who to call as disciples, along with orders of what and where to go next.  (Did Jesus have conversation about Judas on this night of prayer?  Just wondering.) 

The mission was clearly given and consistently defined from God to Jesus who often declares: “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”  (Luke 19:10) But it seems Jesus’ mission was clarified and assured with how He will accomplish the work of salvation as He goes BEFORE God on his knees.  Jesus, though tempted to sin, was without sin.  Jesus stayed in close communication with the One who sent Him. 

Jesus did not say or do anything BEFORE going to God.  “For I did not speak on my own, but the Father who sent me commanded me to say all that I have spoken. I know that his command leads to eternal life. So whatever I say is just what the Father has told me to say.” –Jesus, (John 12:49-50)

“Very truly I tell you, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does. For the Father loves the Son and shows him all he does. Yes, and he will show him even greater works than these, so that you will be amazed.”–Jesus, (John 5:19-20)

Ah, what we thought was merely a getaway from the crowds is really a “go-to” God for what to say and do next.  Do we?  Do we go BEFORE God for everything in our lives?  Or do we think this is not necessary?  The latter thinking seems very arrogant to me now. 

If Jesus went BEFORE God for everything in the Son’s life on earth, from choosing disciples, to healing the broken-hearted, while on his way to ultimately save the world—then who am I to think it is not necessary to go BEFORE God and ask for His will to be done in my life? 

God delights in the details of our lives!  Here’s proof:

• “The LORD directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives. Though they stumble, they will never fall, for the LORD holds them by the hand.” Psalms 37:23-25

• Since God does not change, He delights in your prayers just as much as yesterday as He does today—as He will forever (Hebrews 13:8). Go to your Father knowing that He is never bored of you or your prayers. He loves them, delights in them, and wants to hear them.

• “The Lord detests the sacrifice of the wicked, but he delights in the prayers of the upright.” Proverbs 15:8

• Psalm 147:11- “God delights in those who reverence him and trust him and put their hope in his unfailing love.” God does not delight in strength (v. 10) but he delights in us when we acknowledge our weakness and our need of him.

One of my favorite assurances of His Presence in those who love God and come before God is found in Zephania 3:17: “The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing.”  God is with us, saves us, delights in us, and rejoices over us!  This is the character of God!  This is the everlasting, relentless, amazing, unchanging, unconditional love of God!

Why not go BEFORE God?  BEFORE submitting to a life of details, commitments, and self-made agendas that lead to overwhelming, overthinking, overscheduled, burdensome lives—Go BEFORE God ask Him what He wants.  (“My yoke is light…”) We might even choose what is good, but He knows what is best for each one of us for “such a time as this” in our lives. 

Leaders in God’s work must go before Him.  If you do not then what you do is all about you—MEinstry (all for self on your own limited strength and wisdom) not ministry  that helps others find and follow Jesus with direction from God.

“Lead me, Lord” is heartfelt prayer I learned to pray BEFORE doing anything else: 

• As a young mom of three going to buy groceries on a limited budget.  And God led.
• As a young teacher of a classroom full of first graders.  And God led.
• As a wife who loves her husband.  And God led.
• When buying a car, home, or a loaf of bread.  And God led.
• When choosing friends.  And God led.
• When discerning who among our friends and coworkers was telling the truth.  And God led.
• When deciding to change careers.  And God led.
• When knowing when to speak and when to be silent and wait on God.  And God led.
• Before reading His Word each morning.  And God leads.
• And before writing “Daily Manna” each day.  And God leads!

I’m a detail person.  It thrills my heart to know God wants to hear my details.  Yes, every detail, God wants and delights in hearing from us.  I am a life with praises of proof!

Believe and be saved from sins.  Live life to the full by going to God before doing or saying anything—Be like Jesus and follow in His ways. God can be trusted, believe me!  Better still, believe Him!

Lord,

Thank you for taking us deeper into your word and realizing fully why you “got away” to pray.  Thank you for bending down to hear us, teach us, and delight in us.  Being your child, your beloved, makes all the difference in my life.

In Jesus Name, Amen