What does the Bible say about the value of solitude?

We have in Scripture private prayer spoken of, and also united, and it is well to consider both. The habit of private prayer, or such a state of constantly felt dependence on God as shall lift the heart to Him on all occasions, is set before us in such words as "Pray without ceasing;" that is, wherever we are, whether in the house, or place of business, or walking the streets, to have the heart habitually going out to God about all our need. But there is another thing which nothing else will supply; it is going into a secret place to pray — to be alone with God, to pour out the heart to Him, and wait upon Him. We find the Lord going out into a solitary place "to pray, going up" into a mountain," and "into the wilderness," to pray. Our Lord expressed His mind for us on this point most touchingly when He said, "But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly." (Matt. 6:6.) Here we have, first, the believer going into a secret place, away from every human eye and ear, for the express purpose of praying to his Father. 2nd. The fact announced that our Father is in that secret place — "Thy Father which is in secret." 3rd. The encouragement that those who do thus seek the Father shall not fail to be openly rewarded." How blessed this is!

It is in solitude that God chiefly teaches His people. The blessed Jesus sought for refreshment on this earth in being alone with God. And this is the place where the saint learns his own weakness and God's strength. He enters into the depths of his own evil, but also into the depths of God's grace. He learns to deny self, to subdue imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God. He proves the necessity of the cross.

For a saint to have solitude is of the deepest importance, because it is then the heart renews its acquaintance with the Lord Jesus who only has entrance into our most solitary retreats. When we are thoroughly alone and apart, He loves to be our companion; it is, so to speak, the time for Him to come, like the ray of light which permeates into the dark cavern wherever it can; and to the inmate of the cavern never was light more prized.

I believe there are two things learned in solitude that cannot be gained otherwise — one, that I see myself apart from everyone and everything, a very necessary matter; and the other, that I see the Lord in quite a peculiar light, in a singular and unique way, apart from everything and everyone. His individuality, blessed be His Name, comes out to me in solitude in a way it never does in a crowd.

But turn for a while, O my soul, from the contemplation of a scene so heart-rending; though strong, yet tender, are the links that would draw thee there, and lead thee to wean loved ones from it, and win them for Christ. Cherish a spirit of meditation in the sweet solitudes of the soul's separation from the world, where the scene is radiant with the presence of the Saviour, and joyous with "The Song of Songs." The wider the separation from the world, the deeper the communion, the richer the blessing. In heart and spirit having no sympathy with it; and, really, though in it yet far away from its bustle and all its unhallowed scenes. A mighty chasm now separates believers from this present evil world: "They are not of the world," says Christ, "even as I am not of the world," The position of Christ in resurrection is the definition of ours as seen in Him. The calm, reflective quiet of the soul in communion with the Person of the exalted Lord, is what characterises its sweetest moments while here on earth. These may be found in the chamber of sickness, the rural scene, or in the very seat and centre of this world's activities. All depends on the state of the heart. To be alone and yet not alone, how blessed!

Only in the presence of our Lord do the true motives of our hearts become obvious, and only here are we led to judge them if necessary. Only here is the desire created and sustained, “Create in me a clean heart, O God” (Psalm 51:10). How important therefore are the moments of quietness for our life of faith, the times when we are alone in the presence of God! This does not mean that we cannot have any fellowship with Him in our daily occupations. But for the examination and purification of our hearts we need to be alone in His presence. Only thus can we preserve the right relationship with Him and with our brothers and sisters. It is not by chance that Paul asks Timothy to seek fellowship with such believers who call upon the Lord out of a pure heart, and that Peter calls upon Christians to love one another with a pure heart fervently (or, incessantly, persistently. 2 Timothy 2:22; 1 Peter 1:22). A pure heart will therefore be a happy heart as well, desiring the glory of God and the well-being of fellow Christians.

For prayer to be effectual, however, there are certain conditions with which we must comply. These come before us in this great scene. First, effectual prayer demands that we withdraw from the hurry and press of this world into holy retirement with God. Like Elijah we must go up to the top of the hill. As the Lord Himself instructs us, "When thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father" (Matt. 6:6). How often our prayers are unavailing for the lack of the "shut door." To be consciously in the presence of God we need to compose our spirits, call in our wandering thoughts, and shut the door on the world. Holy separation and retirement is the first great requisite for effectual prayer.

Do not reckon yourself lonely: it is a good thing to be alone with God; I have been always alone, but I bless God for it. Not that communion of saints is not happy and a blessing: Paul thanked God and took courage, but it is alone with Him that we get stuff, and there only; where else should we? And in these last days the true lasting work must be from Himself. There is no true work, I well know, but of Him; but the scripture makes a difference of the last days, where the keen discernment and, therewith, the earnest love and grace alone can be found, to carry us through the tangled web of men's minds - and always calm because with Him. "They looked unto him and were lightened:" we should wait on His working. …

To shun the company of Christians is an early symptom of spiritual disease. When flock-masters or their shepherds see one sheep standing in a field quite apart from the rest they at once conclude that it is ill. When well, all keep together. Beware, then, of sulking alone. It is the stragglers who fall an easy prey to the wily foe.

Many people are naturally withdrawn and retiring, and this can sometimes have its advantages, but if it leads one to isolationism, this is mere selfishness: he is seeking his own desire (v. 1), and becomes practically a law unto himself. Therefore, he rages against all wise judgment. For he thinks he is right, and that all others are wrong. This is a danger even when saints are reduced to a small number with whom to fellowship. Faith in God may keep them small, but this is no reason to have feelings of pride or of belittling others. In fact, at all times we should have honest care and concern for the welfare of all the saints of God everywhere.

As to Christian fellowship, though salvation is individual, and though one may be outwardly in the Christian company and perish in the end, yet where the heart is true to Christ, and the saints walking in divine love, and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, it is a circle fraught with richest blessing. Of course Christians are themselves warned against neglecting the great salvation, a fact which shows that they are not in any way either the source or depositories of that salvation, and we are warned not to neglect it. Still, as I say, if we are walking in the love of God we will be a source of strength and encouragement to one another, and we are likely to be preserved from many dangers that we would be liable to fall into walking in isolation. Still we must keep in mind that it is an individual matter, and that even companionship with an apostle will not save us nor keep us from falling, if we become unwatchful. Demas is a striking instance of this, not to mention Judas. Nothing will make up for individual faith, exercise of heart, and watchfulness to keep near the Lord. Even the companionship of the saints will not make up for the company of the Lord Himself.