It’s been nearly a year since the high school where I teach has been closed to in-person learning due to the pandemic. I’ve been teaching all my students online. The social distancing and isolation policies mandated in the interest of public safety have taken a toll on many students and teachers. Even though many live with family members, they still long for companionship. They are not alone, but they feel lonely. Is that the case for you? Fortunately there is hope. Times when you feel distant, discarded, lost, or lonely are an opportunity to walk in fellowship with God, for he is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit (Psalm 34:18).
This morning over breakfast my daughter and I discussed the prophet Elijah, because she was reading about him in her bible study. At one point in his ministry Elijah felt very lonely because he lost focus on God and despaired from his circumstances. Yet God lovingly reassured him that he was not alone. Elijah had just witnessed God judge the wicked prophets of the false god, Baal. Yet it didn’t look like evil king Ahab or the people of Israel would turn to God. And now vile queen Jezebel, seething with vengeance threatened to kill him. He ran. Feeling alone, afraid, exhausted and depressed he asked God to let him die. But as always, God had a better plan. God lovingly sought Elijah out, met him at his point of need, showed him that there were many people who remained faithful to God, strengthened him, and shared with him how God would rid Israel and Judah of their corrupt leaders (1 Kings 18-19).
The exodus of Israel from Egypt is another example of God’s abiding presence (Exodus 12:31-17:7). At my church we have been studying that as a part of the life of Moses. The people of Israel had a horrible habit of grumbling against God and blaming him for allegedly abandoning them whenever they faced difficulty. Actually God never left them. He was always with them. Why did they experience difficulty then? God used difficulty just like he does in our lives—to teach those who will listen to trust him. God delivered Israel from oppressive slavery in Egypt. When they were penned down in the desert and pursued by Pharoah’s army, God provided an escape by parting the Red Sea. All of Israel safely crossed on dry land, but Pharoah’s army drowned. In the wilderness God guided Israel through a cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night. God dwelt among them in a tabernacle. God spoke to them through Moses. When Israel thirsted God provided water. When Israel was hungry he sent quail in the evening and supplied manna every morning. God was with the people of Israel. When they recognized that by faith they experienced the full blessings of his presence.
The same is true today for you and me. Every day you walk this earth, God sees you, God hears you, and God knows you. He provides and he cares. He created you and loves you. No matter what you have done or what you are going through, he is calling you to a better future. He wants you to be with him, to be like him, and to do what he does. He sent Jesus, God the Son, to make that possible. Like the manna that saved Israel in the desert, Jesus is your bread of life (John 6:25-40). He is your living water so you never have to thirst again (John 4:7-14, 7:37-39). For all who trust and obey him, he is your closest friend and truest brother. His name is Immanuel, which means, “God with us” (Matthew 1:20-23) He even gives his Holy Spirit to all who ask so they experience his presence, counsel, comfort, conviction, enlightenment, training, help, and power (Luke 11:9-13; John 14:23-27, 16:7-15; Acts 1:8; 2 Timothy 1:7; Galatians 5:22-23). He will never leave you or forsake you (Hebrews 13:5-6).
Every one of us needs God. During loneliness he is all you have. Turn to him and walk with him. Then invite others on your journey. You experience God’s presence not only when you recognize your need for him, but also when you help others recognize their need for him. God blesses you to be a blessing. He has given you the ministry of reconciliation (2 Corinthians 5:14-21). Pour out what he fills in to overflowing. Love, forgive, proclaim, teach, comfort, sacrifice, and serve because God does that in you and wants to do that through you for his glory and the benefit of others. Jesus is calling you to reach others with his love, truth, and salvation. As you do he promises to be with you (Matthew 28:18-20). Soon he will return to consummate his kingdom. At that glorious time believers will no longer endure tears, pain, mourning, or death. Instead they will only experience abundant, eternal life joyfully loving and serving with God and his family of believers from every nation, tribe, and language. (Revelation 5:6-10, 20:11-21:8).