The Lonely Road

And at the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?” which means, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Mark 15:34, ESV). 

The journey of life takes us down many different roads.  The lonely road of life is no stranger to any of us.  Often it is even while we are completely surrounded by people.  The cause may vary depending on life events, a close friendship that has ended, divorce, or the loss of a loved one.  However, many times it comes within daily living, the lack of close relationships or rejection from others.

The staggering numbers of those struggling with loneliness/depression have greatly increased within in our young people.  School or daily life may be that lonely road they walk on a daily basis.  Not just young people but adults and in work places, worse yet within our churches.  Social Media, although great in many ways, has become a way of increasing loneliness and the sense of rejection for many.  It lacks the true sense of companionship or meaningful relationships.  At times it even has the reverse and causes others to feel left out.

Even Jesus walked it as he walked the road to Calvary.   And when brought before Pilate, Pilate being allowed to release a prisoner, he asked to release either Barabbas a murderer or Jesus the King of the Jews.  The chief priests rallied the crowd to release Barabbas and crucify Jesus. 

For many, it may even feel like the crowds are cheering for the Barabbas’ at your expense, maybe they truly are.  The bully at school is encouraged by the laughter of others at the expense of the one who is bullied.  Certain school cliques are cheered on because of status while others are left out.  People are promoted in the work place while they tear others down.  On and on the list could go. 

We've all been down the lonely road at some point or another. Regardless of the cause we are not alone on that road.  Many others have walked it and/or are still walking it. 

Know this, you are not alone.  Know Jesus knows your pain.  Know he has carried your loneliness to the cross.  Know he has experienced the ultimate loneliness (God's wrath) so we wouldn’t have too!

O Lord you have been there.  You have walked the lonely road before us.  You have carried our loneliness to the cross.  You have done this so we would not be alone.  Give us a fresh reminder of your Presence with us today!  

WAIT for it!

Wait for the Lord: be strong, and let your heart take courage: wait for the Lord!  (Psalm 27:14, ESV)

Waiting is inevitable as we walk our journey of life.  Waiting in traffic, waiting in the doctors office, waiting on line at the drive thru knowing full well I’m going to regret it afterword, etc. the list could go on.  And of course waiting on the promises of God, waiting for his leading, his direction, and on his timing.  No matter what the wait, especially waiting on God, while waiting impatience grows stronger, doubt has a way a creeping in, and opposition seems to rear it’s ugly head.  This often leads to the emotional hijacking wondering if it’s ever going to happen if it’s ever going to come into fruition.  In those moments it’s difficult to stay strong and have any courage at all. 

We are not alone we have many examples of people in the Bible and they even tried to help God along with their own plans.  There was Sarah who decided to help God’s plan for bearing children by having her maiden become a surrogate mother (Genesis 16), Esau who couldn’t wait for the stew (Genesis 25), King Saul didn’t wait for Samuel to return (1 Samuel 13), and multiple times the disciples were quick to help Jesus, either by word or action, unaware of their own ignorance about Jesus’ plan and the coming kingdom.  But in all these situations God has always prevailed. 

As God started to reveal his plans for me I have to say there have been times I thought it would never come.  For starters, it began on doubtful shaky ground.  I started like Moses, telling God all my inadequateness and that he might be wrong.  And then came weariness and opposition and I thought who am kidding thinking I could ever fulfill this calling on my life!  Then there were times of waiting for healing or answers to prayer only to find out the answer is wait some more. Through all of it God has continued to bring clarity, brought healing, and answers to prayers.  While still waiting on many things, here’s what I’ve learned during those times. 

God is faithful.  When things looked dim and I felt like I had no strength left there would come a point God would give a sign of hope.  He has proved, "I’ve been faithful before I will be faithful again!"  Regardless of what was happening in the moment God was and is always faithful.

God prepares us while we are waiting.  Consider the fact it’s not just a season of waiting, but also a season of preparing.  God is still working in the moment, even if it doesn’t feel like it, he is teaching and strengthening us for his plans in our lives.      

God is victorious.  When the opposition and discouragement comes against us remember He has won the battle.  His plans and promises will prevail and he gives us the courage to press through.  WAIT FOR IT!!!

Lord, thank you for your plans and promises in our lives.  May we wait for your will in our lives!  Remind us of your faithfulness and show us a sign of hope.  Give us strength as you prepare us.  Keep us from our own thoughts and plans of trying to help your plans along.  And may our hearts take courage you Lord are victorious! 

Refusing to bow…

¹⁶ Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered and said to the king, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. ¹⁷ If this be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of your hand, O king. ¹⁸ But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up” (Daniel 316-18, ESV). 

This is a very well known Bible account, which many people have heard over and over in Sunday School lessons.  When King Nebuchadnezzar ordered them into the fiery furnace Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego walked out unharmed, not a hair singed or even the smell of fire upon them.  Interestingly enough King Nebuchadnezzar was asking them to break the first two commandments, there shall have no other gods before me and you shall not make carved images and bow down and serve them.  When he approached them as to why they paid no attention to his command they didn’t even engage conversation on his level they just stood their ground.  They knew full well God was able to deliver them and if not let it be known they will not serve the king’s gods or worship his idols.  And look what happened, Jesus showed up and the king called them servants of the Most High God!

Living in a world where everyone has their own gods and serves their own idols we too are regularly faced with underlining “peer pressure” to submit to the gods or idols of others.  Unfortunately, Satan the god of this world is very crafty.  It’s not always as obvious for us as it was for our three friends in Daniel. It comes about so much more subtly.  More like the serpent in the Garden of Eden luring the world after it’s own lusts.  In all fairness most people (ourselves included) are blinded to their own idols and worldly gods they serve.  Blinded or not they are still there.

And so today I wonder if it’s time for some of us to stand firm and refuse to bow down to the gods and idols of others.  Realize just as King Nebuchadnezzar became angry when they refused its most likely going to spark a rise in others as well.  But you never know it may be the very time Jesus will show up.  And others will see you are a servant of the Most High God!

O Lord may we first confess any of our own gods and/or idols that we have put before you.  And I pray you give us wisdom to get out of the way of others.  May we know you are able to deliver through any and all circumstances, you are the Most High God!