The Lonely Hour

I think that people experience loneliness in different ways. I personally experience loneliness when I long for connection of a deeper nature, and that longing is unmet. Sometimes I feel most lonely when I'm at my "Most social" self---during times of fellowship, in large groups---and I think it's because being social does not always eliminate loneliness.

I crave intimacy----that deep connection with another---but I"ve learned over the years that what I truly desire deep down, only God can meet. He may provide me with a husband one day, but even then---only the Lord can totally fuflfill our needs. I know of lots of lonely married people. That's why this devotional was encouraging---to remember that the Lord is with me and will never leave me. ----LL

In Touch - June 13, 2007

In Touch Daily Devotional by Dr. Charles Stanley
June 13, 2007 –
Courage in the Lonely Hour – 2 Timothy 4:6-18

From a prison cell, Paul wrote to his spiritual son Timothy. The apostle had been arrested for preaching the gospel. Now, he was alone as he prepared to stand before the Roman tribunal that would decide which charges should be brought. He was a spiritual father to so many. Yet even very close friends had deserted him. He must have felt alone and disappointed.

When someone feels lonely, he’s probably experiencing isolation from those he loves. This sense of disconnection is especially troubling when the person is experiencing a difficult situation. But Paul’s discouragement was short-lived. In 2 Timothy 4:17, he says, “The Lord stood with me and strengthened me.” As believers, we understand the Lord is always with us. But when we face an isolating circumstance, we truly experience His intimacy. God made His presence known to Paul so he no longer felt alone.

A sudden awareness of God wouldn’t have surprised Paul. And in fact, he was probably anticipating the Lord. In some of the most trying and lonely times of the apostle’s life, God had been there. For example, Paul feared for his life in Corinth and also faced drowning at sea (Acts 18:6-10; 27:22-25). As he recalled God’s faithfulness to him in those difficult times, Paul was confident the Lord would surely be with him again.

We can depend upon the same promise as Paul. Hebrews 13:5 says, “I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you.” The Lord is always with us. He will make His presence known in our lonely hours so we can have courage for whatever lies ahead.