The virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they
shall call His name Immanuel. - Matthew 1:23
Most of us have experienced loneliness in some form or another. I remember the deep sense
of aloneness that swept over me during my first day in the military when I was exposed to
almost constant cursing and foul language.
People with physical disabilities have said that their greatest pain is loneliness. It is
also felt by parents who have been neglected by their children, by husbands or wives who
have lost their mate, and by people from a minority group who have been excluded from
social activities.
If we want to be followers of our Savior, we should be reaching out to the lonely all
around us. But we can't be with them all the time, nor can we fully know their pain. Our
presence may help, but we are never enough. Only God can meet the needs of the lonely. And
here is the good news. In Jesus He has revealed Himself as "Immanuel," which
means, "God with us."
One day G. Campbell Morgan visited an elderly woman who lived alone. Before leaving, he
read, "Lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age" (Matthew 28:20).
"A great promise," he said. With a twinkle in her eye she retorted, "Dr.
Morgan, that's not a promise. It's reality!" For her, Immanuel was the ultimate cure
for loneliness.
-HVL
Though all around me is darkness
And earthly joys have flown,
My Savior whispers His promise -
Never to leave me alone.
-Anon.
God said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you." - Hebrews 13:5