Tired saint, God is doing something in your loneliness; trust him. God is toughening you. God is teaching you. God is transforming you.

 

It is better to take refuge in the Lord

      than to trust in man.

It is better to take refuge in the Lord

      than to trust in princes. (Psalm 118:8–9)

You did not choose solitude.

You never thought you’d have so few friends by your side — especially now. In your moment of need, you’re left only questions. Trials fill the skies with arrows — you’re deserted in the dark. Where did they go?

This friendless path is well-worn.

Many of the faithful have traveled it before. Moses into the wilderness. Daniel into the lion’s den. David to face the giant. Elijah to challenge Ahab. Jeremiah into a pit. Micaiah to give the prophecy. Samuel to rebuke a king. Esther to make her request. John the Baptist into his cell. Paul to stand trial. Stephen to his stoning. John to his island. Saints have been made to stand, and often stand, alone. And none like our Lord on his way to the cross.

Many in ministry know this road. How quickly relationships within the church can burn the heart near to ashes. The church door is revolving. Members come and go; sometimes it’s hard not to take it personally. Grief and anger and self-pity mingle. We ask ourselves, “Many a man proclaims his own steadfast love, but a faithful man who can find?” (Proverbs 20:6). We cry, “Save, O Lord, for the godly one is gone; for the faithful have vanished from among the children of man” (Psalm 12:1). Our strength all but dries. How can we go on much longer?

Life can be lonely for a man of God. Not at all times, but at crucial times. And this is often God’s doing. He strips his men of even faithful friends in pivotal moments. Those who have been beside us for countless battles cannot go with us there. A day arrives when God shall again prove himself enough. Dependence upon man is chastened that the man of God might rest fully upon his Rock and his Redeemer. Paul illustrates…

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