I write this for two simple reasons: One, there are plenty of lonely people out there, even Christians; and secondly, I have been reading about David’s unpleasant experiences in 2 Samuel of late. So let me tie these two together if I may. I’ll begin with David.
In the minds of many, I would suspect, it would seem odd to equate King David with loneliness. A King? Surrounded by so many people, loyal subjects, and faithful followers – lonely? Well, yes at times. As you may recall, things were not always smooth sailing for David.
Many of the Psalms deal with David and his experiences – both good and bad. They deal heavily in reality. There are no happy-clappy, mind-over-matter, positive confessions to be found there. Instead, we get David pouring his soul out to God, asking hard questions and recounting his many trials and tribulations.
Consider Psalm 25 for example. It is all about David’s enemies and his plea for God’s help and protection. This is what we find in verses 16-19:
Turn to me and be gracious to me,
for I am lonely and afflicted.
Relieve the troubles of my heart
and free me from my anguish.
Look on my affliction and my distress
and take away all my sins.
See how numerous are my enemies
and how fiercely they hate me!
In those dark hours of being pursued like a dog, surrounded by enemies, and in constant danger, he spoke about how he was “lonely and afflicted”. Yet this Psalm also speaks about the trust he puts in God, and the hope he has in him. In an earlier difficult situation we read this about David:
“David was greatly distressed because the men were talking of stoning him; each one was bitter in spirit because of his sons and daughters. But David found strength in the LORD his God” (1 Samuel 30:6). In his difficulties he made Yahweh his rock. If David can experience so much grief and misery, including loneliness, why do we think we will be exempt from this?
The truth is, there are many lonely Christians out there. And recall that loneliness does not just refer to being alone. One can be amongst many people, whether at home, or at church, or elsewhere, and still be lonely. Such loneliness is more of a psychological or mental state than a physical one.
There can be many reasons for such loneliness. I am not a trained counsellor or pastor, so others could speak more competently about all this. But I can say that I have experienced loneliness at times, and I know of many other Christians who have as well.
I think part of the reason why the social media is so successful and popular is because it can offer some comfort to the lonely. People may not have like-minded friends amongst their own personal circles, but can find them online. Something like Facebook can be a real help for many lonely people as they find others they can share with, relate to, and find common cause with.
Not that I am suggesting that something like FB should become a substitute for close personal relationships, but sometimes it can be a real help nonetheless. A Christian may have no Christian fellowship amongst his immediate family and friends, and finding them online can be a real encouragement and sustaining help.
And I find myself often being asked to pray for someone or offer counsel on FB. So we can use such a means to help establish and maintain Christian community and fellowship. So I guess my plea here is for anyone out there a bit lonely or depressed, please make use of any opportunities to get some help and assistance.
Even making a heartfelt plea on FB for some aid can be very therapeutic. So don’t allow the enemy to bum you out with discouragement, loneliness and the like. We need each other, and while nothing can replace actual one-on-one relationships, with a bit of eye-to-eye contact, we can even use the social media to provide some Christian love and care for one another.
As someone who has known depression and loneliness at times, I know how debilitating it can be. So I for one offer my assistance, for what it is worth. If King David could hit some pretty low spots in his own life, so may we. He consoled himself in the Lord, but also had real supporters around, such as Jonathan. We need both as well.
And one final word. Sometimes the saint who walks the closest with God walks the most lonely with men. But I speak to that elsewhere: https://billmuehlenberg.com/2011/09/11/prophets-who-stand-alone/
So there may well be a divinely-sanctioned loneliness, but that is another matter. For those struggling with other sorts of loneliness, just recall that we have a Saviour who knows all about this. Not only did he find himself betrayed and abandoned by all his disciples, but he hung on that cross alone.
So he knows all about your loneliness, and is ever ready to offer comfort and encouragement. Please allow him to do just that.
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