On Loneliness

I've noticed a type of loneliness beginning to settle over me these days. 

It's not as if I have a hermit's life. I've got caring people all around me. 

Maybe it's the loneliness of feeling like nobody else could possibly understand what I'm facing.

As I settle in for a good, old-fashioned pity party, the Word comes to me and disrupts the whole thing.

For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are - yet was without sin.   Hebrews 4:15

Since God is the God of Truth I have to trust what He says. But, I wonder, what did Jesus know of loneliness? I mean, crowds followed Him to the point of harassment.

Then again . . .

                      there was that time in Gethsemane.

Backwards and forwards thrice he ran.
As if he sought some help from man;
Or wish't, at least, they would condole - 
'Twas all they could - his tortur'd soul.
Whate'er he sought for, there was none;
Our Captain fought the field alone.
Soon as the chief to battle led,
That moment every soldier fled. 
                                 by Charles Spurgeon

Yeah, okay. So maybe Christ at least tasted loneliness as His friends deserted him when the situation with Judas and the Roman guards turned scary.

And . . . 

          Calvary was not exactly about happy family togetherness. 

Quite the opposite.

About the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, "Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?" - which means "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" Matthew 27:46, Mark 15:34

It must have been absolute agony for the Son to be abandoned by His Father with whom He'd been One from before the creation of the world. 

I guess Jesus does have much more than an idea of what loneliness feels like . . . and even how to persevere in the midst of it. 

I sure do need His divine understanding and transforming provision.

Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. Hebrews 4:16

The more I think about it, the more grateful I become. 

As surely as the Savior's Name is Jesus the Christ I am His.

For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.  Colossians 3:3

I . . . I . . . i . . . am hidden with, wrapped up in Christ. 

As integral and secure in His Name and person as that little letter i.

HALLELUJAH

Lonely feelings can chase me, but I can never ever be truly alone.