Devotional - 99-01-03 - Loneliness

I know a good number of people who were lonely during the holidays, and some are lonely year-round. Today we will see some of what the Bible has to say about loneliness - a few examples and some of God's answers for it. If you are lonely, I urge you to pray your heart to God, and also to reach out to someone at your church or another Christian friend. We are to "weep with those who weep," but we cannot do that if we are not aware you are weeping. The people around you may not realize how you feel; give them the opportunity to minister to you.

Psa 25:16-17 (NNAS) "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."

Mat 26:40 (NNAS) "And He came to the disciples and found them sleeping, and said to Peter, "So, you men could not keep watch with Me for one hour?"

2 Tim 4:16-17 (NNAS) "At my first defense no one supported me, but all deserted me; may it not be counted against them. But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me, so that through me the proclamation might be fully accomplished, and that all the Gentiles might hear; and I was rescued out of the lion's mouth."

Psa 142:5-7 (NNAS) "I cried out to You, O LORD; I said, "You are my refuge, My portion in the land of the living.Give heed to my cry, For I am brought very low; Deliver me from my persecutors, For they are too strong for me. Bring my soul out of prison, So that I may give thanks to Your name; The righteous will surround me, For You will deal bountifully with me."

Psa 68:6 (NNAS) "God makes a home for the lonely; He leads out the prisoners into prosperity, Only the rebellious dwell in a parched land."

Lam 3:24-25 (NNAS) ""The LORD is my portion," says my soul, "Therefore I have hope in Him." The LORD is good to those who wait for Him, To the person who seeks Him."

2 Cor 1:3-4 (NNAS) "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction so that we will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God."

Rom 12:15 (NNAS) "Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep."

Jan

jan@cfdevotionals.org
http://www.cfdevotionals.org