Daily devotion – loneliness
Deut 31:6 “Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the LORD your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you.
Have you ever felt lonely? Someone once asked that question replied, “Who isn’t lonely?” “From the moment we are born, we are lonely.”
From the time of the original sin in the Garden of Eden, loneliness, besides sin, has been man’s greatest problem. You and I may be on the run just like Adam and Eve were hiding from God. But it is a sin to think we are completely alone and to stay in our loneliness. For God says: “I will never leave you nor forsake you…”
Wife of missionary Jim Elliot, Elizabeth, said after being widowed twice, offered the following practical biblical insights on how to conquer loneliness.
1. Be still and know that God is God – study the Bible and pray.
2. Give thanks – for the promise of God’s presence.
3. Refuse self-pity – a death that has no Resurrection.
4. Accept your loneliness – it can draw you closer to God.
5. Offer up your loneliness to God – let Him transform it.
6. Live your life for those around you.
Psalm 46:10 (NKJV): “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!”
Psalm 139:7-10 (NKJV): “Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence? If I ascend into heaven, You are there; if I make my bed in hell, behold, You are there. If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there Your hand shall lead me, and Your right hand shall hold me.”
Isaiah 41:10 (NKJV): “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.”
Hebrews 13:5-6 (NKJV): “Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you.’ So we may boldly say: ‘The Lord is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?'”