RESOURCES — SHORT ARTICLES

 

SHORT ARTICLES BY TOM ELSEROAD
	2020-08-20	Fighting Loneliness
		We must be aware that unknown numbers of Christians live alone all the time. They have to deal with aloneness and sometimes even loneliness. Many imagine situations they would rather be in such as marriage or friendships that have not come their way. Gen 2:18  And the LORD God said, "It is not good that man should be alone; I will make him a helper comparable to him." Paul and Jesus were not married. They knew much about aloneness. Thousands of missionaries have had fruitful ministries without marriage partners. So even though aloneness is not ideal, God has provided grace for all kinds of situations. One way that God planned grace for the lonely is by sending His Son to become a human being so Jesus could experience a kind of loneliness that would make Him a sympathetic high priest for the lonely. The Gethsemane scene the night before Jesus died is instructive. Jesus took Peter, James, John to be with Him. He asked them to remain here and watch. Jesus went alone and fell on His face and prayed to the Father. Jesus came back and found the disciples sleeping. He said to Peter, So you could not watch with Me one hour. This happened three times. They fell asleep on Him. He wanted their partnership in this hour. But falling asleep they left Him alone. It gets worse. When the soldiers came they all forsook Him and fled. Then on the cross Jesus said to the Father, “Why have you forsaken Me?” Why so much loneliness in His suffering? This was planned so Hebrews 4:15-16 can give us encouragement. Heb 4:15  For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Heb 4:16  Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. The grace to help in time of need certainly includes loneliness. Christ experienced utter loneliness so we can boldly pray for grace in times of loneliness. We need to have confidence that God will give grace needed during loneliness. What would a prayer like that sound like? This is what it sounded like from David (Ps.25:16). Psa 25:16  Turn Yourself to me, and have mercy on me, For I am desolate [all alone] and afflicted. David had a lot of crises in his life where he was cut off from the people he desired to be around. This verse would be great for those who are lonely. Pray the words of this verse. Will God answer that prayer? Likely, yes because He has already made provisions for it in Scripture. Jesus said, “I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you.” (Jn.14:18). The last thing Jesus said on earth is, “I am with you always, even to the end of the age” (Mt.28:20). He sends the Holy Spirit, who is the Spirit of Christ, to be with every Christian (Jn.14:17). Christian, you are not alone. You are never really alone. Notice that the most important Person in the universe is with you personally. He does not break His word. Isa 41:10  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.' Notice the clear encouragement, “Fear not, for I am with you”. 2Co 9:8  And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work. There is a well timed grace to make you fruitful even in times of loneliness. Pastor Tom Elseroad

 

An Evangelical Free Church of America

23304 E Wellesley Ave. Otis Orchards, WA 99027 Church Office: 509.926.9552 Church Cell: 509.342.9145 Pastor Cell: 509.828.8843 tomelseroad@gmail.com