+DEV+ The Pit of Loneliness

Date: August 31, 2009 8:48 PM
Topic: +DEV+ The Pit of Loneliness

The Pit of Loneliness

“A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling. God sets the lonely in families, he leads out the prisoners with singing” (Psalm 68:5-6).
Scripture Focus: Psalm 68:1-6

I visited an elderly man in the hospital. He had pneumonia and was struggling to survive. As I sat by his bed, he opened his lonely heart to me, telling about family close by who didn’t have time to visit, children out of state who didn’t call, and a brother in town who hadn’t come. He said, “Chaplain, thanks for caring and for being here. Please come again.”

“Loneliness” is one of the most desolate words in the English language. It speaks of pain that can hardly be endured.

David, the psalmist, wrote that “God sets the lonely in families.” How sweet is the fellowship of God’s presence and the fellowship with other believers, His family! I think much loneliness would be cured if people would forget about themselves and reach out instead to those who are hurting–the single parent, the one who walks alone, the person in the hospital bed. God knows and understands the anguish of our hearts. He cares, and He wants us to care for others too.

Insight: While people need other people, friendship with the One who has promised never to leave us is the true cure for loneliness.