Loneliness is not a common topic in church. To my knowledge, I’ve never heard a sermon on loneliness. Loneliness is a real feeling that Christians must deal with. What do you do when nobody is around and you are lonely? What about when you don’t feel God’s presence? Sometimes we don’t feel His presence. However, we must not base our faith on feelings. If our faith is not founded upon the unchanging Word of God, it will always be changing. What help does the Word of God have for he who is lonely?
1. You are not alone.
“I am with you always” Matthew 28:20
“I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.” Hebrews 13:5
No matter how you feel, you are not alone. Believe God’s Word, He is with you.
Sympathy is a feeling of pity that one may have for another who is passing through a situation unknown to the sympathizer. Empathy is different from sympathy though. Empathy is a feeling of pity that one has for another who is passing through a situation that the empathizer has experienced himself. Jesus can empathize with you.
“For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.” Hebrews 4:15
One night Jesus shared his last Passover meal with his disciples before He would be crucified. These men had been with Him. These men had seen His miracles; healing the blind, casting out demons, turning water to wine, walking on water, healing the lame, calming the storm, healing the sick…these men had seen many mighty works. No doubt, this Passover meal was one of fellowship and companionship. Jesus then went with three of his disciples to pray in the garden of Gethsemane. He went there with friends, but when He left He left alone. He was betrayed by Judas and then taken away by an angry multitude of people. He would then go through the most difficult time of His life on earth. He would be falsely accused, brutally beaten, and ultimately die the shameful death of a criminal on the cross. From a human standpoint, He did it alone. It is commonly known and thought of that Peter forsook Jesus, but the Bible says that all of His disciples forsook Him.
“But all this was done, that the scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled. Then all the disciples forsook him, and fled.” Matthew 26:56
“And they all forsook him, and fled.” Mark 14:50
They all forsook Him, and yet Jesus knew that He was not really alone.
“Behold, the hour cometh, yea, is now come, that ye shall be scattered, every man to his own, and shall leave me alone: and yet I am not alone, because the Father is with me.” John 16:32
Jesus knows, better than anyone, what it is like to face tribulation with none other but God with Him. Yes, He was God in the flesh, and He has perfect oneness with the Father, but He was also man. If anyone knows how you feel, please know that it is Jesus. He knows.
3. If you draw near to God, then He will draw near to you.
“Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you.” James 4:8
If you do not feel that He is near you then draw near to Him and He promises to draw near to you. Draw near to Him by reading His Word, by talking with Him in prayer, and by telling the glorious Gospel to others. Draw near to Him, and He will draw near to you.
So, in conclusion, if you are ever lonely, here is some help from the Word of God:
- You are not alone
- Your Saviour is empathetic
- Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you
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