Never Alone

For I, the LORD your God, will hold your right hand, saying to you, ‘Fear not, I will help you.’ (Isaiah 41:13, NKJV) 

Life can be lonely. When we go through times of trouble, it’s easy to slip into the mindset that we are facing this battle alone. We become convinced that everyone has forgotten us or turned against us. When our world is in disarray, it’s so easy to become despondent and isolate ourselves even more. Here are the stories of three people who struggled with loneliness and distress.

KING DAVID

We don’t know what was happening in David’s life when he wrote Psalm 25, but we can tell from his words that it was a troubled time for him. He described himself as lonely, afflicted, in distress, and troubled. In his pain, he cried out to the Lord for help.

“Turn to me and be gracious to me, for I am lonely and afflicted. The troubles of my heart are enlarged; bring me out of my distresses. Consider my affliction and my trouble, and forgive all my sins.” (Psalm 25:16-18, ESV)

ELIJAH, THE PROPHET

David wasn’t the only one in the Bible to go through times of loneliness and isolation. The prophet Elijah hid himself in a cave and lamented his situation to the Lord. He not only felt lonely, but he also felt alone in his faith. Convinced he was the only remaining prophet of the Lord (but he really wasn’t), he feared for his life.

He said, “I have been very jealous for the LORD, the God of hosts. For the people of Israel have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword, and I, even I only, am left, and they seek my life, to take it away.” (I Kings 19:10, NKJV)

HAGAR, THE SLAVE GIRL

Hagar, Sarah’s Egyptian slave, must have felt isolated and fearful. Little is known of her background, but we do know she was far from her home and any family she may have had. Hagar was used as a surrogate to provide Abraham with an heir because of Sarah’s bareness. Then, after Sarah finally gave birth to the child God had promised, Sarah wanted this slave girl and her son out of the household. They became outcasts, desperate and alone in the desert. (Read Hagar’s story in Genesis 21.)

LONELINESS TODAY

Many today can relate to these stories of loneliness, distress, and trouble. Although surrounded by others, they feel alone and lonely. It’s easy to get lost in the crowd and feel disconnected, misunderstood, or socially isolated. There are many reasons this might happen. Perhaps because of past events, they find it difficult to trust others. Or they feel uncomfortable in new situations, and decide they just don’t fit in. Perhaps it’s difficult for them to meet new people and develop friendships. Or perhaps as a single, they long for love and marriage. Someone sitting near you in church this Sunday may feel lonely and disconnected. That person may even be you.

When overcome by loneliness—as literally millions are—there are steps we can take to conquer those feelings. But first, realize that in Hebrews 13:5 God promised, “I will never leave you and I will never abandon you” (NET). With Him by our side, we are never alone.

Here are four ways that will help us banish any feelings of loneliness that fill our mind.

• Pray and praise.
• Proclaim the promises of God.
• Practice Philippians 4:8.
• Participate, not isolate.

Here is your first promise to embrace and proclaim:

“Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? . . . For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:35, 38-39, NKJV)

Remember, God is with us all the time!