Megan Evans, Women’s Ministry Director, LHBC
Genesis 1:26-27 (ESV)
26 Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.”
27 So God created man in his own image,
in the image of God he created him;
male and female he created them.
Life is always changing, and in the midst of change we can sometimes find ourselves feeling lonely. When our circumstances, our surroundings, and even our relationships shift we can find ourselves looking at unfamiliar scenery. “I don’t know this new place,” we might think to ourselves. Maybe even, “I don’t know this new me.”
I can recall seasons lived out in the quiet hurting of loneliness as best friends have moved away and later as my own moving truck took me miles away from the world I knew. I remember walls of loneliness emerging as I grieved the death of loved ones, and even as I cherished brand new life as a new mother who had stepped away from career and coworkers. I can even recall years of praying and waiting for answers that felt dotted with moments of loneliness like God had perhaps forgotten me. We all experience feelings of loneliness, but there is hope for today…we are never truly alone. We can know for certain that God never leaves us.
Reading through the account of creation of the world reminds us that God is with us. Or rather, we are with him. We couldn’t be alone even if we wanted to! Creation allows us to peek into the holy fellowship of the trinity as God said “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness.” Set apart from the rest of creation, God made mankind special. We were molded by the Potter’s Hands and the LORD God blew His heavenly breath of spirit into us. We are God’s unique creation and He invites us into His family to enjoy fellowship and friendship daily as His child.
This means that every lonely day we experience can actually be lived out with God in his presence, instead of facing difficulties on our own. We might feel like the only one struggling or that no one could understand what we are going through. But that’s just not true. God promises to be our company and counsel. He is bigger than our loneliness and has overcome every circumstance causing it. John 16:33 reminds us, “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”
Listen to a few more promises: God is “Father of the fatherless and protector of widows” (Psalm 68:5), “friend of sinners” (Luke 7:34), and “near to the broken hearted” (Psalm 34:18). The Bible is full of hope for every man and woman today. Lean in and listen to God’s Word and you will experience peace and love in His fellowship. We are never alone in loneliness.
What area of your life feels lonely today? Rest there in the company of God’s presence and in the peace of His perfect counsel and provision.
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Father God, thank you for never leaving my side. In Christ, my every need for relationship and fellowship is met. I lay at the cross today areas in my life that I feel lonely and uncertain and instead, I place my hope and trust in you. Fill my heart with your love –perfect Father and perfect Friend. In Jesus Name, Amen.
MEMORY VERSE FOR THE WEEK:
James 1:12- 12 Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.