Monthly Archive

Matthew 27:35 After they had nailed him to the cross, the soldiers gambled for his clothes by throwing dice. 36 Then they sat around and kept guard as he hung there. . . 38 Two revolutionaries were crucified with him, one on his right and one on his left.

39 The people passing by shouted abuse, shaking their heads in mockery. 40 “Look at you now!” they yelled at him. “You said you were going to destroy the Temple and rebuild it in three days. Well then, if you are the Son of God, save yourself and come down from the cross!”

41 The leading priests, the teachers of religious law, and the elders also mocked Jesus. 42 “He saved others,” they scoffed, “but he can’t save himself! . . . 43 He trusted God, so let God rescue him now if he wants him! For he said, ‘I am the Son of God.’” 44 Even the revolutionaries who were crucified with him ridiculed him in the same way. . . 46 At about three o’clock, Jesus called out with a loud voice, . . . “My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?” (NLT)

Matthew 28:18 Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. . . be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” (NLT)

Hebrews 13:5 Don’t love money; be satisfied with what you have. For God has said,

“I will never fail you.
I will never abandon you.”

6 So we can say with confidence,

“The Lord is my helper,
so I will have no fear.
What can mere people do to me?”

8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. (NLT)

Suffering.  Adversity. Trials. Grief.  These are times when we can feel so alone, so isolated.  Does anyone understand?  Does anyone even care?  Does anyone see how miserable I am?

And then comes the self-loathing.  What do I have to complain about?  There are so many throughout the world with lives that are much more despairing than mine.  Why am I such a baby?

Or, there’s the justification.  If they had my life, then they would understand why I just can’t get out of this pit.  How can I forgive?  How can I keep from being bitter?

I think the loneliness is the toughest part of grief or adversity.  We were made for community.  We find comfort in another’s touch.  In another’s listening ear.  In another’s thoughtful words.

The fact is, we truly are never alone.  Now, don’t misunderstand me, that I’m being this super-pious, I-don’t-need-anyone-cuz-I-have-Jesus person.  What I am saying, Jesus really truly does understand loneliness.  He is the only One who ever experienced true, absolute aloneness.  God the Father turned His back while Jesus took on all our sins.  The others on the adjoining crosses mocked Him.  The passersby spit on Him and mocked Him.  When He cried out in His extreme pain and agony, people stopped to watch and see if some magic show was going to happen.  No compassion.  No mercy.  No understanding.  Completely alone.  For me.  So I would never have to be.

Sorrow.  Grief.  Pain.  Misunderstanding.  Conflict.  These are all a part of life.  Will your adversities make you bitter, running from God, or mocking Him as the people at Golgotha that day?  Or will they drive you ever closer, clinging to the One who suffered total aloneness so you would never have to go through this life alone?

As for me, I choose Christ.  I tried the other; it doesn’t work.  Jesus is here for me.  He wraps me in His love; He speaks to me through His Word; He knows me; He loves me; He never changes.

I’m never alone.

“Out of the depth I cry to you, O Lord; O Lord, hear my voice.  Let your ears be attentive to my cry for mercy. . .I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in his word I put my hope. . .” (Psalm 130:1-2,5 NIV)

Just some thoughts on these verses:

God is in the depths, as well as in the heights.  He hears me, in my lows and in my highs.

I am confident that God hears my cries for His mercy.  I can cling to Him in desperation, because there is no other One that I am positive will be able to help me.

I’m not the only one who has to wait.  The wonderful, comforting aspect of the Psalms is their demonstration of our common human condition.  “Waiting” for God to direct the next step is not unique to my experience.

I have God’s Word.  I can trust Him; I can trust His Word.  My hope is not in my circumstances, my health (or my husband’s), my emotions — my hope is in God, and He reveals Himself to me through His Word.

I don’t have to know the future (though I think I would like to);

I don’t have to know outcomes (though I think I would like to);

I can know God; He has given me His Word; He has made promises to me, and I can trust Him.

“O Israel, [Beverly], put your hope in the Lord, for with the Lord is unfailing love and with him is full redemption.” (Psalm 130:7 NIV)

You are probably thinking, “this woman has no new thoughts, does she?”  My opinion, if Charles Spurgeon says it well, who am I to improve on it?