Attribute of God’s Solitariness

When we think of the noun “solitariness,” we think of isolation and being alone. Often times we think of being in solitude as a negative connotation, or suggestion. Many people do not like seclusion, or being isolated from others. I myself do not mind it. I enjoy being alone sometimes because it helps me gather my thoughts, meditate on God, study and write. Men resist solitary by seeking comfort in the company of others, and there is nothing wrong with that; however, understand that true comfort and peace is received in the company of God alone.

Psalm 119:82 reads, “Mine eyes fail for thy word, saying, When wilt thou comfort me?”

The expression here is implying that David fails to receive the comfort of the promise of God once given to him. For us in the new covenant; it may suggest that we fail to see the glory of Christ in the scriptures, and that the word does not give us the comfort it once did, and brothers; if you have not been in that situation yet, I hope you will not have too; but it is necessary for some of us. It is a terrible occurrence to feel isolated not from men, but from God.

2Corinthians 1:3 reads, “Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort.”

In contrast; solitariness in relation to God as an attribute is the complete opposite of man. God does not necessitate the company of angels or any of His creation for enjoyment, peace, and comfort. God alone eternally self existing as Father, Son, and Spirit is all the glory He needs; if the word “need” may even be used in relation to God, because God’s solitariness necessitates, or needs nothing; A W Pink writes, “God was under no constraint, no obligation, no necessity to create. That He chose to do so was purely a sovereign act on His part, caused by nothing outside Himself, determined by nothing but His own good pleasure . . . That He did create was simply for His manifestative glory.”

Consider these several passages of scripture; in relation to the actions of God being determined by a solitary reason within Himself alone, and not dependant on any object outside of Himself.

Daniel 4:35 And all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed (considered) as nothing: and he does according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay his hand, or say to Him, What or why are you doing?

We see in Daniel that God does not consider the will of humans and angels when exercising His own will. God does whatever He desires according to His own will in heaven and on earth.

Ephesians 1:5 Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will.

Here God reveals His reason for predestinating us to be adopted as children through our faith in Jesus Christ. His reason was not according to our works or His pleasure in us, but according to His own good will and pleasure resulting from His attribute of solitariness.

Ephesians 1:9 Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself

Here God; only according to His pleasure and will tells us He reveals to us His mysteries, which are the Gospel, biblical doctrines, everything that encapsulates the secrets of God; He reveals to us as a result of His pleasure in Himself, not angels or humans. This is also confirmed by the words of Christ:

Luke 10:21 In that hour Jesus rejoiced in spirit, and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes: even so, Father; for so it seemed good in thy sight.

Again: the mysteries of God, His secrets, to include the parables and preaching of Christ are hidden by God. No man can understand the mysteries or secrets of God unless God chooses to reveal it to man. This is done by God only as it seems good in the sight of God alone.

I understand based on my experience, that if this is the first time you have heard or read a doctrine like this; it may be hard to accept. To this end Pink writes, “We are well aware that the high ground we tread here is new and strange to almost all of our readers.” This is because at the time of his writing; Christianity had already compromised sound theology for a watered down gospel. This is an issue we may develop at another time.

A misconception I think needs to be cleared. These scriptures are not meant to discourage the Christian from thinking that nothing in His creation pleases God. On the contrary God is pleased in the righteous work of Christ. Also; remember in 1Kings chapter three. In Gibeon; the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream and asked Solomon what he desired; to which, Solomon replied, and verse ten reads that the Lord was pleased with Solomon’s request. The intention of this doctrine is to reveal to the student of God that though our works from faith are pleasing to God; the actions and reasons why God acts is not bent on the consideration of man, but on God’s self sustaining attribute of solitariness. To this point; Pink writes, “The force of this is that it is impossible to bring the Almighty under obligation to the creature. God gains nothing from us.”

Job 35:7,8 reads, “If you be righteous, what does that offer God? or what does He receive in His hand?8 Your wickedness may hurt a man as thou art; and thy righteousness may profit the son of man.”

Christ says in Luke 17:9,10 Does he thank that servant because he did the things that were commanded of him? I trust not.10 So likewise you, when you shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do.

The point is that though it does please God that we obey His commandments. Our obedience stems from our love for Him alone, and never for the reason of hoping to gain something in return from Him. We obey out of love and duty to our master. God will decide whether He will bless us in any way He desires based not on our desires, action, or will, but based on His desires alone. As we place the Kingdom of God first; God will provide all the means necessary that we may glorify Him in this life. Seek no earthly rewards; the greatest reward a man may desire in this life has already been given to us if we believe in Christ. That reward is Christ; the only way to the Father, the truth, and eternal life, which has been promised to you if you believe in Christ and are unashamed of His Gospel. Take no offense to this hard doctrine, which is only hard to accept because the heart of man is hard to the pure Gospel. Instead praise God for His attribute of solitariness; that He necessitates nothing He has created to act and reason. Consider the alternative; if God’s reasons and actions were obligatory to the will, reason and actions of man, then no man would be saved from His wrath, because His grace and mercy is not given based on the works of man, but on God’s will and work of Christ alone; by faith alone, by scripture alone, by grace alone, to the glory of God alone. Amen.