Psalm 22: Overcoming Loneliness

Introduction

Home Alone - Accidentally leaving Kevin at home… Christmas classic…

BUT… it happened in real life… intentionally… 30 years ago

https://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/aurora-beacon-news/ct-abn-home-alone-schoo-impact-st-1215-20171221-story.html - Ultimately gave their children up for adoption… https://www.nytimes.com/1993/07/12/us/couple-who-left-2-daughters-at-home-give-them-up-for-adoption.html

Can you imagine what it must feel like to be left alone intentionally by your parents? Can you imagine what it feels like to have your parents abandon you?

Psalm 22 - heart wrenching cry - David struggling with loneliness - so many enemies!

You’ve had seasons where you have felt alone. Before pandemic, survey about loneliness - https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2020/01/23/798676465/most-americans-are-lonely-and-our-workplace-culture-may-not-be-helping - 3 in 5 Americans feel lonely - feel like they are left out, poorly understood, and lack companionship.

Highest levels of loneliness - Gen Z - 18-22. Lowest level - Boomers.

One thing to feel like people have abandoned you, another thing to feel like God has abandoned you. Psalm 22 - David feels like He’s been abandoned not only by people, but also by God Himself.

You’ve had moments in your life of despairing loneliness - feel like no one cares about you. Moments when you’ve felt like not even God cares. Why isn’t God answering my prayers?

Gut-wrenching psalm that helps us answer three questions: 1. Why do I feel alone? 2. How can I have hope when I feel alone? 3. What do I do when I feel alone?

Remember: 5 books in Psalms - Book 1 - God rescues His king. Ps. 1-2 = introduction - themes introduced in Ps. 1-2 continually developed. Many laments in Psalms 1-41.

Why do I feel alone?

Don’t know exactly what’s going on in David’s life for him to make this cry - but desperate. “My God, my God…” (2xs) “Why have you abandoned me?”

David has been abandoned by people but it doesn’t compare to being abandoned by God. A sense of hopelessness.

Extremely personal - vs. 2 - “I cry by day but you do not answer.”

“By night, I have no rest...” Odd when compared to Ps. 3:5.

David knows God is holy, and that God has been faithful to His ancestors, but David still feels abandoned.

Fact vs. feeling - You know God is faithful, but I do not feel like He is being faithful to me right now.

BUT… Notice in his feelings of loneliness David doesn’t blame God. NOT, “God, you’re unfaithful...” Instead, “God, I’m unfaithful...”

I am lonely because my sin hinders my relationship with God.

I am a worm… (vs. 6) - feeling of worthlessness - David knows that he’s to blame. “This is not excessive self-loathing but accurate recognition of sin.” (James Hamilton)

Often, in those moments that you feel like you are distant in your relationship with God it is because of you. You have turned away from God. As a follower of Jesus, sin doesn’t change your standing before God, but it does affect your fellowship with God.

Feel like God isn’t close to you? Examine your own heart and confess your sin.

I am lonely because relationships are hard.

Similar to Ps. 3 - Company of mockers mocking David - “You rely on God, but where is He?”

You’ve thought it: “Where are people who will help me? Encourage me? Bless me?”

People aren’t helping David, they’re hurting David. “God, don’t be far from me. No one helps me.” (vs. 11)

You’ve been there. People you thought would help you oppose you. You’ve been disrespected, misunderstood, gossiped about, disrespected, and even abused.

We’ve seen it in the church - supposed to be a people who help each other pursue God but instead we hurt each other through sinful words, jealousy, sinful conflicts, etc.

You feel alone in your marriage because your spouse has opposed you. Your kids have opposed you. No one helps you.

You’ve even been rejected by people - people who used to be close to you now don’t speak to you.

I am lonely because loss is real. Not addressed in this Psalm, but we know that David experienced loss. David lost Absalom (Ps. 3) Those closest to him became his enemies. David loss Amnon, Jonathan, the first child he had with Bathsheba. It’s painful to lose people you love.

Beware of your feelings of loneliness. When you dwell on how lonely you are, can lead you to depression, despair, and bitterness towards others. “Why isn’t anyone helping me? Why doesn’t anyone care for me?”

Saltwater fishing - Will I ever catch it? Loneliness - Will I ever get out of it? Will I ever experience closeness with God again?

How can I have hope when I feel alone?

BUT… David’s words go beyond the feelings of loneliness that we experience. Vs. 12-21 - His enemies want him dead! David describes an execution. He’s not just lonely - he’s absolutely rejected!

Enemies are like strong, wild animals. vs. 16-18 - sounds like a crucifixion - why?

David felt intense loneliness, but what he describes didn’t happen to him. Maybe he writes this after a time when he was physically attacked by his enemies, but he certainly didn’t die. OR, maybe this is what David’s loneliness feels like.

YET we know David writes prophetically. (Acts 2:30-31) King David writes of the King who was to come from His lineage who would reign and rule forever.

David writes of ONE who would die. A promised ONE who would endure abandonment and suffering in our place.

PSALM OF THE CROSS - On the cross, Jesus quoted this Psalm. (Mark 15:33-34) That quote from Psalm 22:1 would have caused those who heard the cry to think of the entirety of Ps. 22. This is the Psalm of the Cross. From the cross Jesus saying, “Psalm 22 is about me!)

Jesus forsaken by the Father - on the cross He suffered and died alone. Cried out to God, and received the silence of God. Jeered and mocked by those who crucified Him. Abandoned by His disciples.

Jesus was the one who suffered the death that David didn’t suffer. He thirsted at the cross (vs. 15). His hands and feet were pierced (vs. 16). His clothes were divided and gambled away (vs. 18).

Why would the Son of God, the long awaited King suffer and die a humiliating death? Why would He go to the cross and experience loneliness? Because you’re a worm that God loves and desires a relationship with. Your sin is what separates you from God, so on the cross Jesus became the worm for you. 2 Cor. 5:21. He took your punishment upon Himself. So, when you feel alone:

Know that Jesus understands your loneliness. He’s been there. He’s been more alone than you will ever be.

Know that Jesus suffered alone so you will never be alone. You might feel alone, but you’re not. People might reject you, but God doesn’t. You might even feel distant in your relationship with God from time to time, but it doesn’t mean He’s left you. Because Jesus suffered in your place, and paid the price for your sin, you will always be in a secure relationship with the heavenly Father.

What do I do when I feel alone?

Praise God. Psalm goes from lament to praise. God answered David’s prayer. If you’re a follower of Jesus, He’s answered your prayer: “Save me.” If you’re not a follower of Jesus, He wants to answer that prayer today.

Maybe when David wrote this Psalm thinking of experience when he was close to death at the hands of his enemies, and God snatched him from the grip of death. (vs. 19-21) - God saved David’s enemies that were like wild animals.

David delivered from his enemies but Jesus defeated his enemies by rising from the dead so that our prayer, “Lord, save me!” could be answered.

vs. 22-31 - completely different than the first half of the psalm. First half = lament. Second half = praise.

When you feel alone, give God praise because you know you are not alone. You know what Jesus has done for you.

vs. 27-31 - sound like Ps. 2:8-12 - Praise God because He will fulfill His plan. The whole world WILL KNOW that God is the true King who is worthy of worship. Because of Jesus’ death and resurrection He is worthy of the praise of all people.

When you are alone, worship the ONE who has brought you into His family so that you would never be alone.

Don’t exaggerate your loneliness. “I feel completely alone… I have nobody...” Jesus experienced real loneliness at the cross. You might experience loneliness, but you are not nearly as alone as you think you are. You have a God who is always with you, and you have family, friends, and a church family that is by your side.

You may be lonely because of who you’ve lost - divorce, death, break-up, child leaving home - etc. That’s loneliness your feeling is real. Loss can be devastating. That relationship might be gone, but you’re not alone. You have to keep reminding yourself of who you are.

Alone in Franklinton - Looking back - God surrounded me with people that loved me.

Don’t stay in your pain. David didn’t. In pain, David kept crying out to God until God answered. Some of us are lonely because of broken relationships that we refuse to make right. Or, some of us who have experienced significant loss have determined that we are never going to get past the hurt. Staying in your pain when someone has hurt you produces bitterness. Choose forgiveness instead. Or, if you’ve experienced significant loss, fight for healing. Cry out to God in your loneliness. Choose to love again. Give yourself to the relationships God has given you. And choose to be loved. Let others embrace you.

Instead of staying in your loneliness, take initiative. Jesus took initiative by loving you while you were still a sinner. David took initiative by crying out to God for help even when he felt like God was not answering. For you, take initiative and invest in the lives of people. Could mean putting yourself in LCG or discipleship group. Introducing yourself to someone new in our church and inviting that person to lunch, etc. In church, “No one ever talks to me...” But, what effort are you putting forth?

Loneliness can be unbearable at times. Don’t want to minimize the pain of loneliness, but there is hope for a lonely heart - Jesus.

This morning, the Psalm of the Cross is pointing you to the hope you can have in Christ. Turn to Him by faith, repent of your sins, and give your life to Him.

Follower of Jesus, remember how loved you are. Don’t stay in your pain, and ask God to help you invest in the lives of others.