THE STORY OF JESUS: John 16:25-33
“You will leave me all alone. Yet I am not alone, for my Father is with me.” (John 16:32)
It is not good for us to be alone (Genesis 2:18).
But sometimes in this sin-messed world we are left alone.
Friends or family are not with us; away for a time, or worse they deserted us.
One survey I read said that half the population struggles with loneliness.
God offers the comfort of His presence when we are alone.
Jesus experienced this when His disciples proved unreliable.
He describes the feeling of God with Him, when no one else is.
I remember a time when God impressed on me His surrounding presence.
I had a friendship candle burning, with four figures holding each other.
The Lord impressed on me that the Father was facing me, with a loving smile.
To my right was Jesus, to my left was the Spirit, holding me to the Father.
Together the four of us were held together in a bond that would not fail.
I call this my original ‘small group’, or my never-failing circle of friends.
Do you sense the threefold presence of God with you – over, with and in you?
What do you sense the Lord saying to you?
PRAYER
Lord, it is sad and hard to be lonely. Give me a strong sense of Your never failing presence, even when others fail to stand with me.
The disciples at times had hardened hearts but here they had an understanding moment – that Jesus came from the Father. Jesus knew their hearts better than they themselves. They would scatter and desert Him. Yet the love of Christ surpasses all for His love is unconditional. He will never leave nor forsake His children. He has overcome and He has given His Spirit to give His followers courage and power and strength to stay true to Him. Nothing can separate us from the love of Christ. Each day anew Lord help me to trust in Your power to meet the challenges of the day.
1. The Lord is my light and my help; whom should I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold of my life; before whom should I shrink?
2. There is one thing I ask of the Lord; for this I long;
to live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life.
3. I believe I shall see the goodness of the Lord, in the land of the living;
hope in him and take heart, hope in the Lord!