The Beatles wrote a song about all the lonely people. You can be in a crowded room and still feel all alone. You can have people emailing you and calling you everyday and still feel like no one is really there. Lonliness isn't about how many people you connect with or even talk to in a days time. Lonliness is a longing for a relationship with someone who truly cares. The psalmist said to God, Turn to me and be gracious to me, for I am lonely and afflicted. psa. 25:16. And again the psalmist said, I lie awake, lonely as a solitary bird on the roof. Psa. 102:7 One of the hardest things to face is when you feel as if God has also left you, all alone to fend for yourself. In the book of lamentations we read Why do you always forget us? Why do you forsake us so long?
Have you ever thought to yourself, "If my life were a book of the Bible it would be something like Job or Lamentations, but others seem to get Acts or Proverbs. Sometimes we look at ourselves and we think, "why are others so active (ACTS) and wise (PROVERBS), and I am chained to these burdons (JOB) and sorrows (LAMENTATIONS). We think of all the good things that we really wanted to do if we only had the strength. Sin is a strength zapper, but it isn't just the sin that we ourselves commit that zap our strength, but even the sins of the people we are close to can just wear us to a frazzle. I have heard alot of selfish people with ignorant speech make a comment like this, "I know I'm doing wrong, but I ain't hurting no one but myself." WRONG.
The earth suffers for the sins of its people, for they have twisted God's instructions, violated his laws, and broken his everlasting covenant. Therefore, a curse consumes the earth. Its people must pay the price for their sin. They are destroyed by fire, and only a few are left alive. Isa. 24:5
Not only do those who are close to us suffer when we commit sins, but a curse comes on this whole earth because of our sins. I have talked to many people that were devestated and crushed, not because they were on drugs, but because they had a close loved one that was on them. Problems that other people around us create for us can grow so overwhelming that our strength is gone and our friends are no where to be found. Often when you are going through your greatest crisis, your closest friends seem to vanish. With no one helping you carry your burdons you can face a situation in which you are hurting, alone, and your strength is almost gone.
I have found a place of safety and rest. It is here that you will find the strength and the grace that you need to take you through even the darkest of nights.
Do you not know? Have you not heard?
The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom.
He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.
Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall;
but those who hope in the Lord (wait upon the Lord) will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint. Isaiah 40:28-31
Take your rest in Jesus. Put your eyes on him in hope. Wait upon him and he will renew your strength.
