Scripture Verse: “Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the LORD your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.” Deuteronomy 31:6 ESV
Bible Reading: Proverbs 18:24; Matthew 28:18-20; Luke 15:11-32
This week’s set of devotionals is taken from Mind Gum: Devotions for Men by Todd Stahl and Joe Amaral. Used with permission.
Even though we are more connected via social media and the Internet, people are lonelier today than ever before.
I was fortunate I grew up in a home with a mom and dad who loved each other and did their best to support us. I can’t say I ever felt alone or abandoned. In my adult years, I began to experience loneliness as I travelled around the world by myself. I may have been speaking to hundreds and sometimes even thousands of people, but yet I felt alone.
I’ll never forget when I was invited for the first time to speak in Bangkok, Thailand. Someone found my teaching online and invited me to come and minister.
I’ll say this…it’s a long “drive to the office” from Toronto to Bangkok. Considering connections and layovers, it’s about a 24-hour trip. As you can imagine, I was exhausted when I arrived. I couldn’t wait to meet the person who had invited me and get going on my ministry.
After two hours, it became apparent that no one was coming to get me.
I eventually convinced someone to let me borrow their phone so I could call the pastor who invited me. They were shocked to learn I was in Bangkok and asked me what I was doing there. Are you kidding? Are you serious? These are the thoughts I had in my head.
You see, the pastor had retired since inviting me and had forgotten to tell the new pastor I was coming. Talk about feeling alone and abandoned. It all worked out; I eventually got there and had a wonderful time with the church.
You may not have been stranded in a foreign airport, but all of us have experienced loneliness, and some have even felt abandoned.
Here’s the good news…we have a Father in heaven who says He will never leave us or forsake us. No matter what we do, no matter how far we run away, He’s always there waiting for us. He’s like the father in the Parable of the Prodigal Son. He’s not angry when you return. He’s not waiting to scold you when you come back. He’s waiting to welcome you with open arms.
Wherever you are today, wherever you find yourself in life, know this…you can always run back to the Father, and He will be waiting to greet you with love and support.
Prayer: Father, thank You that You are always with me. Help me when I am feeling alone. Show me Your love and Your presence. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Reflection: Think of a time when you felt alone or abandoned. Looking back, what have you learned about that time since then? Where you might you reach out to someone else who is feeling lonely today?
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