A Certain Loneliness

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The final words of Jesus before He ascended, “I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” — Matthew 28:20

Let’s admit it—there is a certain loneliness that comes with military service. Deployment brings geographic separation from loved ones. And even when there is camaraderie in the deployed unit, one can still feel a certain loneliness which accompanies maintaining a constant alert at a remote location or experiencing encroaching fear in battle.  Even when home there is a certain isolation which can occur because loved ones might not understand or appreciate the mission and calling . . . especially given the demands on schedules and families because of the ops tempo.  So whether active duty or the spouse of an active duty service member, loneliness can accompany the realities of aloneness, even if surrounded by others.

So I don’t think we can remind one another too often that we are never alone. The presence of God is real and sure, and Easter week is a good time to say it again.

“God’s very presence is his greatest gift to us. And yet I think it is a gift that most of us have never fully unwrapped. We’ve simply never embraced it for all of the intense joy and comfort it can give us. Maybe it’s because we haven’t believed the presence of God is enough to soothe and satisfy us. . . .the Bible, from beginning to end, is a story of God extending himself, lowering himself, sacrificing himself, so that you and I can know and experience the fulfillment of a relationship with him, the satisfaction and safety of his very presence. It is God telling us over and over again that he wants to be with us.” Nancy Guthrie in The One Year Book of Hope, pgs. 105,106.

That intimacy, made very real in the power of the Holy Spirit, is such a gift. With it comes peace in the midst of chaos, security in the midst of danger, comfort in the midst of pain, reassurance in the midst of loneliness.

Two of my favorite “presence” reminders are from early chapters in the Old Testament. Jacob is alone at Bethel when God meets him in a dream and says, “I am the LORD, the God of your father Abraham and the God of Isaac. I will give you and your descendants the land on which you are lying. Your descendants will be like the dust of the earth, and you will spread out to the west and to the east, to the north and to the south. All peoples on earth will be blessed through you and your offspring. I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land. I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.” When Jacob awoke from his sleep, he thought, “Surely the LORD is in this place, and I was not aware of it.” — Genesis 28:13-16

Later, in Exodus 33, Moses expresses his concern to the LORD about leading the Israelites out of Egypt and into the Promised Land. Who would go with him to guide and help? “The LORD replied, ‘My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.’” — Exodus 33:14

It is a lie that we are alone. As Christians, we are never alone. Satan would desire to create isolation in our minds and hearts, which then leads to discouragement, deception, and destruction.

Psalm 139 is the ultimate “presence” reminder. . . . and I believe speaks to our military forces who might be experiencing loneliness in the air, sea, or ground battles or even alone at home:

“Where can I go from Your Spirit? Where can I flee from Your presence?

If I go up to the heavens, You are there (sounds like Air Force to me!);

If I make my bed in the depths (could that be a submarine?), You are there.

If I rise on the wings of the dawn (up early at home?), if I settle on the far side of the sea (our ground troops?),

Even there Your hand will guide me, Your right hand will hold me fast.” —Psalm 139:7-10

And for a last reminder: One of the greatest commanders in the Old Testament was Joshua. When the Israelites were re-entering the land as the LORD had promised Jacob in the quote from Genesis 28, he encouraged them with these words, “Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.” — Joshua 1:9

Good words then. . . .good words now . . . .good words wherever you are in the world tonight. You are never alone if you know the presence of God.

Work cited:

Guthrie, Nancy, The One Year Book of Hope (Carol Stream: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., 2005)

Questions to Share:

1. Do you know God’s Son, Jesus Christ, as Lord and Savior? If not, then you are wrestling with unforgiven sin. Why not settle this once and for all and make this the best Easter of your life! Go to:

Godlovessoldiers.com
Godlovesmarines.com
Godlovessailors.com
Godlovesairmen.com
Godlovescoastguardsmen.com

2. Are feelings of loneliness predictable? Write out some promises of God’s presence and bring them out as a reminder when those feelings come—or, better yet, memorize them to combat the enemy when he would tell you the lie of loneliness.