Weekday Devotionals
YOU ARE NEVER ALONE! - Written by: Steve Grigg
Verse:
At about 3 o’clock Jesus called out with a loud voice “Eli, Eli Lema Sabachthani.”
(My God, My God why have you abandoned me?) Matt. 27:46 (NLT)
Thought:
This may seem like a strange verse for a devotional, but bear with me.
Sometimes we choose to be alone, and sometimes we feel alone no matter how many people are around us. I had a time like that during the spring of my sophomore year in college. I know that I had fun during that time, but all I can really remember is hurt, sadness, and loneliness. I had given my life to Jesus earlier in the year while listening to a Christian tape. Unfortunately, I did not have anyone to follow-up with so I continued just floating along the same life path. My plans were to finish the semester and drop out of college. No plans after that.
I knew God was there, but I felt that He was not there. Yet even as a diamond in the rough, I wasn’t alone. God had His plan for me. Near the end of the semester, He led me to a course of study that interested me, and during the next fall semester I started dating my future wife.
Why do I share this? Because I wish there had been a strong believer who could have shown me that no matter how bad, how lonely I felt, God/Jesus was there with me and understood!
So, I will tell you that you are not alone and He understands.
In the above verse Jesus is near the end of His crucifixion, when he cries out with a loud voice “My God, My God why have you abandoned me?”
Jesus was crucified and died as payment for our sins. The price of sin is total separation from God. I believe that at this moment, God the Father had to turn His back on His Son so that He could bear the full punishment of sin.
(Remember that the price Jesus paid was full and complete; and that He is now alive and seated at the right-hand throne of God!) So, if Jesus paid the full price of our sins, as a believer, we are never alone, never abandoned. (Not sure?)
(Matt. 28:20) (Jesus says) “Teach the new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this; I am with you always, even to the end of the age.
(These new disciples are new believers, new converts.)
(Heb. 13:5) Do not love money, be satisfied with what you have. For God has said,
“I will never fail you; I will never abandon you.”
(Matt. 11:28-29) Then Jesus said, “Come to me all of you who area weary and carry a heavy burden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your soul. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.
(This doesn’t sound like He is going to leave you alone.)
Application/Challenge:
So, if this has spoken to you, if you are hurting, feeling alone, abandoned, or lost, let me encourage you to first pray over your situation/circumstances. Pour yourself into His love.
Next is the harder part. Reach out to our pastoral staff, ministry staff, elders, worship team, Dream Teamers, or find a believer you respect and look up to. Trust that God will lead you to a person or persons who will understand. Someone who has already walked that path you are on. It may not be the same circumstances, but they have felt those lonely, abandoned feelings and made it out to the other side.
I pray that all who read this will know the fullness of the Father’s love!
- Steve
Verse:
At about 3 o’clock Jesus called out with a loud voice “Eli, Eli Lema Sabachthani.”
(My God, My God why have you abandoned me?) Matt. 27:46 (NLT)
Thought:
This may seem like a strange verse for a devotional, but bear with me.
Sometimes we choose to be alone, and sometimes we feel alone no matter how many people are around us. I had a time like that during the spring of my sophomore year in college. I know that I had fun during that time, but all I can really remember is hurt, sadness, and loneliness. I had given my life to Jesus earlier in the year while listening to a Christian tape. Unfortunately, I did not have anyone to follow-up with so I continued just floating along the same life path. My plans were to finish the semester and drop out of college. No plans after that.
I knew God was there, but I felt that He was not there. Yet even as a diamond in the rough, I wasn’t alone. God had His plan for me. Near the end of the semester, He led me to a course of study that interested me, and during the next fall semester I started dating my future wife.
Why do I share this? Because I wish there had been a strong believer who could have shown me that no matter how bad, how lonely I felt, God/Jesus was there with me and understood!
So, I will tell you that you are not alone and He understands.
In the above verse Jesus is near the end of His crucifixion, when he cries out with a loud voice “My God, My God why have you abandoned me?”
Jesus was crucified and died as payment for our sins. The price of sin is total separation from God. I believe that at this moment, God the Father had to turn His back on His Son so that He could bear the full punishment of sin.
(Remember that the price Jesus paid was full and complete; and that He is now alive and seated at the right-hand throne of God!) So, if Jesus paid the full price of our sins, as a believer, we are never alone, never abandoned. (Not sure?)
(Matt. 28:20) (Jesus says) “Teach the new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this; I am with you always, even to the end of the age.
(These new disciples are new believers, new converts.)
(Heb. 13:5) Do not love money, be satisfied with what you have. For God has said,
“I will never fail you; I will never abandon you.”
(Matt. 11:28-29) Then Jesus said, “Come to me all of you who area weary and carry a heavy burden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your soul. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.
(This doesn’t sound like He is going to leave you alone.)
Application/Challenge:
So, if this has spoken to you, if you are hurting, feeling alone, abandoned, or lost, let me encourage you to first pray over your situation/circumstances. Pour yourself into His love.
Next is the harder part. Reach out to our pastoral staff, ministry staff, elders, worship team, Dream Teamers, or find a believer you respect and look up to. Trust that God will lead you to a person or persons who will understand. Someone who has already walked that path you are on. It may not be the same circumstances, but they have felt those lonely, abandoned feelings and made it out to the other side.
I pray that all who read this will know the fullness of the Father’s love!
- Steve
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