Feeling alone? The COVID 19 Stay Home Orders across the country (and even the world!) can surely leaves all of us feeling a little bit alone! Maybe you have lost your job on top of all the sudden change and isolation. It’s understandable to think that things are worse than you’ve ever imagined. But, I want you to know that there is hope. You are not alone.
Come back in history with me….
Jesus is on the Cross. Just a week ago, the streets were lined with masses of people proclaiming that He was the long awaited Messiah. His disciples, who had spent every moment with him over the past 3 years, proclaimed their loyalty at their celebration of the Passover. It would be only a few hours later that every one of them would run in fear, some even out right betraying Him. Now, it’s Friday night, the start of the Passover Sabbath. As He looks down on the people gathered to watch him die, he must have realized that He was all alone. His friends, His followers, His family all gone. In anguish, He cries out in pain the words from Psalm 22, “My God, why have you forsaken me?”
In the morning, the smoke would clear a little for the Disciples. They would learn the location of His burial, but, because of the Jewish requirements for the Sabbath, they could not grieve. They could not ensure a proper burial until after the Sabbath was completed. These 12 men had given up everything to follow Jesus – careers, family, political connections – EVERYTHING! And now, He was not only dead, but He had died in a very public and humiliating manner. AND THEY COULD DO NOTHING…Nothing but REST. They were alone, trying to process something that they had no way of understanding…
Psalm 22 was written by David during the time when He was alone and isolated, fleeing from King Saul. It gives us a powerful pattern of how David ran to God in times of trouble that we can apply to our lives today.
Be honest with God about how you are feeling
God is not afraid of our questions. He knows that our minds are limited and cannot comprehend all the things that He does. If we ask for help, He will help us.
James 1:5-8 (MSG)
If you don’t know what you’re doing, pray to the Father. He loves to help. You’ll get his help, and won’t be condescended to when you ask for it. Ask boldly, believingly, without a second thought. People who “worry their prayers” are like wind-whipped waves. Don’t think you’re going to get anything from the Master that way, adrift at sea, keeping all your options open.
1 Peter 1:17
You call out to God for help and he helps—he’s a good Father that way. But don’t forget, he’s also a responsible Father, and won’t let you get by with sloppy living.
Give God glory anyway
He is worthy of worhsip regardless of our circumstances. When we focus on who God is, our perspective shifts – even if our situation doesn’t.
Revelation 4:11b
Worthy, O Master! Yes, our God!
Take the glory! the honor! the power!
You created it all;
It was created because you wanted it
Remind God (and yourself) of His promises
Over and over agin in Psalm 22 David declares – “I know who you are. And since you are always true to character, deliver me like you delivered your people.” And then, he proceded to REMIND GOD of all the great things He did for Israel. David knew what God was capable of and He kept asking God to do it again!
So, in this time of isolation, take some time to step back and rest. Ask God your questions. Listen to His answers and be obedient to do what He says. And, give God ALL THE GLORY ANYWAY! It may not be easy. Who knows when we will be able to buy toilet paper again! But, if God can sustain the entire multitude of the nation of Israel for 40 plus years through the desert, surely He can supply our needs now – even in the midst of a pandemic. Remind Him of the great things He has done. Quote the Scriptures, list the blessings from your own life.
