In these troubles times, we often find ourselves in need of a friend.

Hearing a kind word, or having a shoulder to cry on, or just someone to talk to, can make all the difference in the world.

But sooner or later, a time will come when there is no one to turn to.  We have been taught that we can always go to The LORD and that He cares when no one else does.

That is true without doubt.

But what about those times when it seems like the heavens are closed and we can’t seem to find an answer?

Everyone has at some point in their lives found a time when we felt like no one really cares, or at least it seemed that way.

It doesn’t mean that it really was that way, but that’s the way we felt at the time.  This is part of our human journey and we all face those days some where along the line.

So, what do you do when all else has failed, there’s no one to talk to who can really understand how you feel or truly know what you are going through?  You feel so alone.

Some of the greatest people in the Bible have felt that way.  Their trial or experience was so intense and they found themselves standing all by themselves with no one to take their part or stand with them.

David was one of those people.  Ziklag had been destroyed and all of their families, wives, children, absolutely everyone had been taken away and not one soul was left.

The men were stricken with heart-rending grief insomuch that they were talking of stoning David, their hurt was so intense.

All of the blame fell on him because of what had happened while they were away in battle.

Nobody took his part.  He had also lost all of his family members that were there and also wept bitterly, but he was their leader, so therefore he was responsible.

He was all by himself.  The Bible says, “but David encouraged himself in The LORD his God.”

There are times when we have no choice but to do the same.  Encourage ourselves.

The story of Job speaks for itself, his feelings clearly stated in this passage,

“Behold, I go forward, but he is not there, and backward, but I cannot preceive him:  On the left hand, where he doth work, but I cannot behold him: he hideth himself on the right hand, that I cannot see him….”

Let me say that there is a depth in God that many will never likely attain.  We want to know Him in the power of his resurrection, but care not for the fellowship of his suffering.

There is no doubt that these were great men of faith and they were deeply loved by God.  No matter, they were tested and tried and at times felt all alone.

Job’s friends insisted that he must have done something wrong.  The part of the above verse that strikes me is: “he hideth himself.”

Would God actually hide himself from us?

It certainly seemed that way.  It’s when we are standing all by ourselves that the true strength of who we really are comes out.

But Job had confidence and although he couldn’t see God or find him, he somehow knew that God was there, somewhere, because he said, “he knoweth the way that I take….”

The seemingly unshakable Apostle Paul faced his own day when there was no one else but him.

This one who had performed such great miracles, taught, loved, counseled and mentored so many brothers and sisters and had even been beaten that they might grow and mature would also one day say, “I’m all by myself.  Everyone has forsaken me and I’m standing without anyone to help or to care.”

We could name countless others but there’s not enough time.  Elijah, who had just called fire down from heaven upon all the prophets of Baal, was soon running for his life and feeling there was no one left but him.

Perhaps we should walk in these men’s shoes before we think to criticize.  We can be quick to answer, but it’s because we do not have the experience.

There is another man…..  

One who had given everything and was now giving His very life.  He was also a human who hurt, cried and suffered like all the others.

Why have we been taught that we should not question God?  These men did!  It depends on what kind of relationship you have with God and how close the two of you really are.

The prime example of everything we are supposed to be said, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?”

In our words, He was saying, “Why have you left Me in the time when I needed you the most?”

That time will come for all of us, just like it did for these men.

What do yo do when you can’t find the answer, nobody comes to your rescue and it seems God is not listening.

When it seems all hope is gone and nobody else cares and it seems it would almost be easier to just give up.

You know God is there, because the Word said He was and these men testify that He was there for them — but you can’t find him.  It’s just you, and nobody else.

You encourage yourself….

First published: February 10, 2010.

~ Robert Blackburn

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Robert Blackburn

 

 

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