Loneliness

Loneliness is not part of God’s plan for human beings

Genesis 2:18 ESV

Then the Lord God said, “It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him.”

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God is with his people at all times and in all circumstances

Isaiah 41:10 ESV

fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

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Reasons why people may experience loneliness

Sin

Isaiah 59:2 ESV

but your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hidden his face from you so that he does not hear.

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Remorse

Matthew 27:4–5 ESV

saying, “I have sinned by betraying innocent blood.” They said, “What is that to us? See to it yourself.” And throwing down the pieces of silver into the temple, he departed, and he went and hanged himself.

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Disease

Lepers were forbidden to mix with those not affected.

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Insomnia

Psalm 102:7 ESV

I lie awake; I am like a lonely sparrow on the housetop.

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Depression

1 Kings 19:4 ESV

But he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness and came and sat down under a broom tree. And he asked that he might die, saying, “It is enough; now, O Lord, take away my life, for I am no better than my fathers.”

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Poverty

Proverbs 19:7 ESV

All a poor man’s brothers hate him; how much more do his friends go far from him! He pursues them with words, but does not have them.

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Old age

Psalm 71:9 ESV

Do not cast me off in the time of old age; forsake me not when my strength is spent.

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Dying and the approach of death

Psalm 23:4 ESV

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

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Lack of friends

Psalm 142:4 ESV

Look to the right and see: there is none who takes notice of me; no refuge remains to me; no one cares for my soul.

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Social ostracism

A moral outcast (see Jn 4:18), she was collecting water at the hottest part of the day, when she could do so alone.

See also A Jew who worked for the Roman occupying power was considered a traitor.

Public shame

John 8:3 ESV

The scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in adultery, and placing her in the midst

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Desertion

2 Timothy 4:16 ESV

At my first defense no one came to stand by me, but all deserted me. May it not be charged against them!

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Loss of family

Luke 7:12 ESV

As he drew near to the gate of the town, behold, a man who had died was being carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow, and a considerable crowd from the town was with her.

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Loss of identity

Luke 8:27 ESV

When Jesus had stepped out on land, there met him a man from the city who had demons. For a long time he had worn no clothes, and he had not lived in a house but among the tombs.

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Discontent

Ecclesiastes 4:8 ESV

one person who has no other, either son or brother, yet there is no end to all his toil, and his eyes are never satisfied with riches, so that he never asks, “For whom am I toiling and depriving myself of pleasure?” This also is vanity and an unhappy business.

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Disability

Acts 3:2 ESV

And a man lame from birth was being carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple that is called the Beautiful Gate to ask alms of those entering the temple.

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Loneliness experienced as a consequence of God’s calling

God’s setting apart for service

1 Kings 19:10 ESV

He said, “I have been very jealous for the Lord, the God of hosts. For the people of Israel have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword, and I, even I only, am left, and they seek my life, to take it away.”

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Leadership

Mark 10:32 ESV

And they were on the road, going up to Jerusalem, and Jesus was walking ahead of them. And they were amazed, and those who followed were afraid. And taking the twelve again, he began to tell them what was to happen to him,

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Responsibility

Numbers 11:14 ESV

I am not able to carry all this people alone; the burden is too heavy for me.

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Jesus Christ experienced loneliness

Matthew 27:46 ESV

And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” that is, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”

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Positive aspects of loneliness

Solitude provides an opportunity for communion with God

Matthew 6:6 ESV

But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

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Engaging in spiritual warfare

Genesis 32:24 ESV

And Jacob was left alone. And a man wrestled with him until the breaking of the day.

The opportunity for spiritual experiences away from the crowd

Mark 9:2 ESV

And after six days Jesus took with him Peter and James and John, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. And he was transfigured before them,

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Solitude as rest from the turmoil of everyday life

Mark 6:31–32 ESV

And he said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a desolate place and rest a while.” For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat. And they went away in the boat to a desolate place by themselves.

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