What Does God Say to Lonely People?

In Isaiah 53:3 I read, “He was despised and rejected by mankind, a man of suffering, and familiar with pain. Like one from whom people hide their faces he was despised, and we held him in low esteem.” (NIV)

If I ever wake up feeling lonely, God has something to say: “I understand exactly how you feel.” God is with me during this difficult season. If I thought Jesus didn’t understand loneliness, I’d be wrong. Jesus was despised and rejected by the people he created. He experienced loneliness throughout his entire life.

During his final hours, Jesus went to the Garden of Gethsemane to pray. This was an emotional time for him. He knew the very next day he would be crucified on the cross, separated from his Father.

Since Jesus had a need for human companionship, he took his three best friends, Peter, James, and John, with him into the garden. He said to them, “I’m very sad . . . Stay here and keep alert with me” (Matthew 26:38 CEB).

But what did they do? They fell asleep! Jesus came back and said, “Couldn’t you stay alert one hour with me?” (Matthew 26:40 CEB). Jesus must have felt so lonely at that moment.

The next day, he was nailed to a cross, where he cried out, “My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?” (Matthew 27:46 GW). Since Jesus was carrying the sins of the world, the Father couldn’t look at sin, at him. Jesus was truly alone.

So Jesus knows what it’s like to feel lonely. And he wants to relieve my loneliness. He cares about me and wants to help me.

Maybe loneliness isn’t an issue today. However, I might be surprised by who the lonely people around me are. Loneliness doesn’t care whether I’m beautiful, wealthy, successful, or popular. Even married people can be lonely; some couples never share any true intimacy, closeness, and fellowship. The pandemic has made it clear that no one is immune to loneliness. Eventually, each one of us experiences it.

When I’m lonely, Jesus understands and he wants to provide relief. The ultimate way that Jesus can relieve my loneliness is by making me part of his family. Through his own lonely death and then his Resurrection, Jesus made it possible for me to belong to God’s family.

When I’m part of God’s family, I still may face seasons when I feel lonely. But I will never truly be alone again.

In summary, Jesus was despised and rejected by mankind, a man of suffering, and familiar with pain. He was despised, and held in low esteem. If I ever wake up feeling lonely, God can say: “I understand exactly how you feel.” God will be with me during this or any other difficult season. Jesus was despised and rejected by the people he created. He experienced loneliness throughout his entire life. During his final hours, Jesus went to the Garden of Gethsemane to pray. Since Jesus had a need for human companionship, he took his three best friends, and said to them, “Stay here and keep alert with me.” But they fell asleep! Jesus must have felt so lonely at that moment. The next day, he was nailed to a cross, where he cried out, “My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?” Jesus was carrying the sins of the world, the Father couldn’t look at sin, at him. In that time Jesus was truly alone. So Jesus knows what it’s like to feel lonely. And he wants to relieve my loneliness. He cares about me and wants to help me. I might also be surprised by who the lonely people around me are. No one is immune to loneliness. When I’m lonely, Jesus understands and he wants to provide relief. The ultimate way that Jesus can relieve my loneliness is by making me part of his family. Through his own lonely death and then his Resurrection, Jesus made it possible. I still may face seasons when I feel lonely. But I will never truly be alone again because I am part of his family.

Who would believe that God would choose to save the world through a humble, suffering servant rather than a glorious king? The idea is contrary to human pride and worldly ways of thinking. But God often works in ways I don't expect. The Messiah's strength is shown by humility, suffering and mercy. 

Father, thank you for Your Word and Jesus as my savior and example. You want me and I need you in my life. Please give me Your strength for today and remind me in little ways that I can always believe in, have faith in and can trust you in everything. This includes being the authority for my life, the source of my self-worth and my hope for the future. You have my best interests in mind. So I ask you to help me to embrace the way you’ve made me; my gifting and passions. Help me to serve and fulfill the mission you have in mind for me. 

 

Trust God to Do Great Things

In Matthew 19:26 I read, “Jesus looked at them and said, ‘With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.’” (NIV)

Everything is possible with God. “Jesus looked at them and said, ‘With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible’” (Matthew 19:26 NIV). Jesus said, “According to your faith let it be done to you” (Matthew 9:29 NIV).

God wants to use me. He wants to bless me. He wants to do amazing things in my life. He wants me to be a world changer. But he’s waiting for me to trust him.

So stop saying, “I can’t.” “I can’t do what God wants me to do.” “I can’t love those who are different from me.” Those are lies! All things are possible with God.

Ephesians 3:20 says, “Now glory be to God, who by his mighty power at work within us is able to do far more than we would ever dare to ask or even dream of—infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, or hopes” (TLB).

I have enormous potential, far beyond what I ever imagined. God wants to use me, and according to my faith it will be done.

The greatest opposition to my faith is not others. Not the critics. Not even the enemy. It’s my own unbelief.

I have a choice. I can choose to believe in God, or not. I can choose to trust in God,  or not. There are many things I don’t have control over. But I can choose to have faith in God. If I want God to do big things in my life? Then start believing.

In summary, Jesus said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” Everything is possible with God. Jesus also said, “According to your faith let it be done to you.” God wants to use and bless me. He wants to do amazing things in my life. He wants me to be a world changer. But he’s waiting for me to trust him. Stop saying and thinking, “I can’t.” For all things are possible with God. I have enormous potential, far beyond what I ever imagined. God wants to use me, and according to my faith it will be done. The greatest opposition to my faith is not others. Not the critics. Not even the enemy. It’s my own unbelief. I have a choice. I can choose to believe in God, or not. I can choose to trust in God, or not. There are many things I don’t have control over. But I can choose to have faith in God. 

Father, thank you for Your Word and Jesus as my savior and example. You want me and I need you in my life. Please give me Your strength for today and remind me in little ways that I can always believe in, have faith in and can trust you in everything. This includes being the authority for my life, the source of my self-worth and my hope for the future. You have my best interests in mind. So I ask you to help me to embrace the way you’ve made me; my gifting and passions. Help me to serve and fulfill the mission you have in mind for me. 

Father, with you everything is possible. Even the rich can enter the Kingdom if you bring them in. Faith in Christ, not in self or riches, is what counts. I need to be sure that I’m counting on your and not what I have for my salvation and my future. 

I ask for wisdom and guidance for my day, my work, my leadership, my interactions with others, doing well and making a difference in my new job.  I pray these things through you Son Jesus’ name, Amen.

It’s All About God

In Romans 11:36 I read, “For everything comes from God alone. Everything lives by his power, and everything is for his glory.” (TLB)

It’s not about me. It’s all about God. Those two go together. The reason it’s not about me is because it’s all about God.

Until I fully understand this, life is not going to make sense. The goal of my life should not be pleasure, possessions, prestige, politics, power, or popularity. It’s not anything that the world values. The goal of my life should be to show the glory of God.

Romans 11:36 says, “For everything comes from God alone. Everything lives by his power, and everything is for his glory” (TLB). Everything on the planet and in the universe was created for God’s glory.

What’s the implication of that?

If it’s all about God and it’s not all about you, or about making money or being popular or any of those other things the world thinks are important, then the implication is that loving God is your first priority. Jesus said it like this: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind. This is the first and greatest commandment” (Matthew 22:37-38 TLB).

Nothing tops this truth! If I miss this, I’ve wasted my life. The most important thing in life is to love and get to know the God who created me.

To do so, continue reading his Word, the Bible. It’s not always the easy choice to make time for Bible study / quiet time, but when I do, I’ll learn more about God and find my love for him deepened. And, as I start to understand that my life is about God, and not myself, I’ll find more joy in the pursuit of him.

In summary, everything comes from God alone. Everything lives by his power, and everything is for his glory. So it’s not about me. It’s all about God. Until I fully understand this, life is not going to make sense. The goal of my life should not be pleasure, possessions, prestige, politics, power, or popularity. It’s not anything that the world values. The goal of my life should be to show the glory of God. If it’s all about God the implication is that loving God is your first priority. Nothing tops this! If I miss this, I’ve wasted my life. The most important thing in life is to love and get to know the God who created me. To do so, I need to continue reading his Word. It’s not always the easy choice to make time for Bible study / quiet time, but when I do, I’ll learn more about God and find my love for him deepened. And, as I start to understand that my life is about God, and not myself, I’ll find more joy in the pursuit of him.

God alone is the possessor of absolute power and absolute wisdom. In the final analysis, everyone is absolutely dependent on God. He is the source of all things, including myself. He is the power that sustains and rules the world I live in. And God works out all things to bring glory to himself. The all-powerful God deserves all of my praise.

Father, thank you for Your Word and Jesus as my savior and example. You want me and I need you in my life. Please give me Your strength for today and remind me in little ways that I can always believe in, have faith in and can trust you in everything. This includes being the authority for my life, the source of my self-worth and my hope for the future. You have my best interests in mind. So I ask you to help me to embrace the way you’ve made me; my gifting and passions. Help me to serve and fulfill the mission you have in mind for me. 

Father, help me to remember that this life is not about me. I am to live to show your glory and to fulfil the mission you have for me.

I ask for wisdom and guidance for my day, my work, my leadership, my interactions with others, doing well and making a difference in my new job.  I pray these things through you Son Jesus’ name, Amen.

 

There Is More to My Story Than This Life

In Romans 8:11 I read, “The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you. And just as God raised Christ Jesus from the dead, he will give life to your mortal bodies by this same Spirit living within you.” (NLT)

As a believer, I have hope because I am going to live forever. Death in this world is not the end. There is more to the story!

One day my heart will stop beating, and that will be the end of my body. But it’s not going to be the end of me. I was made in God’s image. I was made to last forever. This life is not all there is.

Why can I have hope? Because no matter how bad it seems on earth, it’s just for a while. When I have faith in Jesus, I know that I’m going to spend trillions of years on the other side of eternity with no more sorrow, no more sadness, no more sickness, no more suffering.

The Bible says in Romans 8:11, “The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you. And just as God raised Christ Jesus from the dead, he will give life to your mortal bodies by this same Spirit living within you” (NLT).

 

People who are not believers think, “This is all I have. It’s over. I will never see this person again. It’s done. That’s all there is to life.”

Compare that to those who are believers. They know this life is just a transition step. Their loved one is now entering real life! They’re going to be with God for eternity. There is grief, of course, but also hope, because they know they will be reunited one day with their loved one who followed Jesus. For a believer, death is not leaving home, it’s a homecoming.

It’s important to have hope, knowing I’ll spend eternity with Jesus Christ.

In summary, the Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in me. And just as God raised Christ from the dead, he will give life to my mortal body by this same Spirit living within me. As a believer, I have hope because I am going to live forever. Death in this world is not the end. There is more to the story! One day my heart will stop beating, and that will be the end of my body. But it’s not going to be the end of me. I was made in God’s image. I was made to last forever. This life is not all there is. No matter how bad it seems on earth, it’s just for a while. When I have faith in Jesus, I know that I’m going to spend trillions of years on the other side of eternity with no more sorrow, sadness, sickness, or suffering. People who are not believers think, “This is all I have. It’s over. I will never see this person again. It’s done. That’s all there is to life.” Compare that to those who are believers. They know this life is just a transition step. Their loved one is now entering real life! They’re going to be with God for eternity. They know they will be reunited one day with their loved one who followed Jesus. For a believer, death is not leaving home, it’s a homecoming. It’s important to have hope, knowing I’ll spend eternity with Jesus Christ.

The Holy Spirit is God's promise or guarantee of eternal life when I believe in him. The Spirit is within me now by faith, and by faith I’m certain to live with Christ forever. 

Father, thank you for Your Word and Jesus as my savior and example. You want me and I need you in my life. Please give me Your strength for today and remind me in little ways that I can always believe in, have faith in and can trust you in everything. This includes being the authority for my life, the source of my self-worth and my hope for the future. You have my best interests in mind. So I ask you to help me to embrace the way you’ve made me; my gifting and passions. Help me to serve and fulfill the mission you have in mind for me. 

Father, help me to remember that this life is not the end. I will be with you and other believers in eternity. 

I ask for wisdom and guidance for my day, my work, my leadership, my interactions with others, doing well and making a difference in my new job.  I pray these things through you Son Jesus’ name, Amen.