1 Samuel 12-13 / John 7:1-30 / Psalm 108 / Proverbs 15:4
All of us feel alone sometimes. I can be in a room full of people and still feel alone, especially if for whatever reason I’m unable to speak about what’s on my heart. Sometimes I’m afraid no one will understand. Other times I’m afraid they will think I don’t have any faith if I talk about my struggles.
If we’re honest, we all feel alone at times. We all forget our faith, feel fear and isolation. If we would remember that everyone feels this way at one time or another, we wouldn’t be so hard on ourselves. If I’m feeling a certain way, I promise someone else in the room or in my life is feeling that same way – and they will understand.
I loved a verse in 1 Samuel 12. Verse 22 in The Message says, “ God, simply because of who he is, is not going to walk off and leave his people. God took delight in making you into his very own people.”
If God is not going to walk off and leave me, that means I’m never alone. That said, I understand that sometimes we want someone with skin on (that’s a saying I heard years ago). God understands that too and that is why He has a body or group of believers on the earth. If you’re a follower of Jesus, and if you’re connected in relationship with others who are the same, you’ll always have someone to talk to.
I know God speaks to us – some hear His voice more clearly than others. But until we’re in heaven, we won’t necessarily hear an audible voice of God (though I know some people do!). Maybe God knew that when He created Adam and Eve and told them to have children. He knew we would want to look around and see faces like ours – human faces – people we can talk to, laugh with, cry with, etc.
God says, “I will never leave you.” And while it’s true that His presence stays with those who are His, I am now wondering if part of His presence is found in those around us who love Him. That’s a little out of the box for thinking, but I don’t think it’s far-fetched.
God meant for you and me to exist in community – for us to have our people around who we can call, visit and talk to. You’ve heard me say, “Love God; Love people.” And that’s the proper order for our relationships. Talk to God first (prayer) and talk to people after that (community).
You are never alone…
