Dealing with loneliness
Feeling lonely is a universal feeling. Everyone feels lonely at least once in their lives. The feeling of being lonely is a terrible feeling. We’ve even used it as a form of punishment like solitary confinement in gaol. As we learn in Matthew 27:45-49, we have a Saviour who understands and empathises with our loneliness. After all, Jesus was the only man to ever live who truly felt alone from people and from God.
In verses 45-49, we hear Jesus cry out to God, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani,” an odd word choice and mix of Hebrew and Aramaic. It translates to, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” In that moment, Jesus spoke to God in a way he never had before and thankfully for us, we could never say those words and truly be forsaken by God… yet Jesus knew what that felt like. Jesus’ death took six hours (starting from 9am) and he was deathly silent right up until this point where he cried out for God, as a sinner; something he never was and will be again.
It was our sin that had blocked God from Jesus’ sight as we know God is against all sin. In that moment, Jesus was totally alone and yet he looked to God and searched for Him in His time of need. Do you search for God in your time of need? Unlike Jesus in that moment and because of Him, we will never know what it’s like to be truly forsaken or abandoned by God. If you’re feeling lonely, please know that you are not alone. For we know that Jesus was forsaken so that we would never be forsaken.
This was Jesus’ way to ensure that we could be reunited with God as He originally intended during the world’s creation; God and man dwelling together without condemnation (Romans 8:1). And now, because of Jesus’ sacrifice, He has promised to never leave us or forsake us as we know from Romans 8:39:
"neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (NIV)
You are never abandoned by God so let us always:
Talk to God who is with you (just as Jesus did)
Trust God who is for you
Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank You for sending Your Son to the cross so that we would never be forsaken or abandoned by You because of our sinfulness. I pray that in times of loneliness I would look to the cross as a reminder of how You are always with me because of Jesus’ sacrifice. Thank You for Your abounding and never ending love for me.
In Jesus’ name I pray,
Amen