God Cares for the Lonely

INTRO

Wolves prey on the isolated buffalo

2 Cor 2:11; 1 Pet 5:8—Satan does also prey on the isolated and lonely

God cares for the lonely

DISCUSSION

God made us relational beings

God is relational

1 Cor 2:10-11-Spirit relates to the Father

Jn 17:5—Father and Son communed together

Created man for relationships (Gen 1:26-27; 2:18)

Vertical relationship—1 Jn 1:3

Horizontal relationship—one another (1 Jn 1:7)

From birth, we seek attachment and connection

The Quick-Reference Guide to Biblical Counseling: Personal and Emotional Issues 6 Biblical Insights

We are born helpless. As soon as we are fully conscious we discover loneliness. We need others physically, emotionally, intellectually; we need them if we are to know anything, even ourselves.

C. S. Lewis

Yet, we so often face feelings of loneliness and isolation

Not just being physically alone

Lonely in a crowd (Psalm 69:8 “I am become a stranger unto my brethren, And an alien unto my mother’s children.”)

“People can feel lonely when they are surrounded by those with whom they perceive little or no intimate connection” (Quick-Reference Guide: Personal and Emotional Issues)

Causes of loneliness

Situational

Life changes—graduation/empty nest, death, divorce (Ps 25:16)

Holidays, birthdays, and anniversaries

Mobility issues

Spiritual

Sin separates us from God (Is 59:1-2)

Sin separates us from friends

Our sins (Pro 16:28)

Others’ sins can bring on loneliness (2 Tim 4:10, 16)

Betrayal (Ps 41:9)

When we perceive to be separated from God and friends a deep sense of abandonment can set in (Ps88; Ps 22:1; Mk 15:34; Mk 14:50)

Wrong answers for loneliness

alcohol (Pro 23:29-30)

Superficial relationships— “I must have the love and acceptance of others to feel significant and to fulfill my need to belong”

God’s Answer for loneliness—a problem with a solution

Remember God’s Promise of His Presence (Mt 28:20; Ps 139:7-8)—difference in alone and lonely. Adam initially alone but quickly lonely

Believe that God will help (Heb 13:5-6; Is 41:10)

Be a friend—Prov 18:24—easier said then done

Attend and be involved in the church (Heb 10:24-25)

Others may be distant, but draw near to God (Jam 4:8)

Dive into the Word, especially Psalms (Ps 63, 69, 88, 25)

Pour your heart out to God (Ps 88:1; 1 Pet 5:7)

Practice solitude—being alone on purpose (Lk 6:12-13; Lk 5:16)

Exhortation

The Quick-Reference Guide to Biblical Counseling: Personal and Emotional Issues 6 Biblical Insights

The soul hardly ever realizes it, but whether he is a believer or not, his loneliness is really a homesickness for God.

Hubert Van Zeller

If you are homesick for God, are you pursuing your relationship with Him? Do you have one?