The longer we wait for something, the more hope diminishes. We wait for a phone call from a job interview and the days keep passing by. We hope for a child, yet another month goes by with disappointment from our bodies. We wait for a loved one to turn their life around, and they continue to make choices that lead to their destruction. The minutes, hours, days, and months stack up, and hope grows fainter.
Jesus Isn't Leaving
My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
don't hold back
Martha and Mary lost hope. It was the fourth day since Lazarus had died. He was beyond death. Even a resurrection at day one, two, or three would have been miraculous, but day four? That was beyond impossible. We cannot know what it was like to wait for Jesus, to call out to him, to wait with hope, and then for hope to die. Or maybe we do know what it is like. We have called out for Jesus, we have prayed, we have let him know the situation, but we have had to wait, and in the waiting, our hope has died. So, next time, why bother with hope?
This is where some of you are. Why bother Jesus about anything? It is too painful to hope again. It is one thing when another person disappoints you, but Jesus? That is brutal.
Martha and Mary knew disappointment, pain, and lost hope. That was where they began with Jesus. He came toward them, and they responded and didn’t hold back. If we can be honest about our pain, if we can express disappointment as fully and truly as these sisters did, then maybe, just maybe, we can get to a place where we can hope again.
who else?
Jesus longs to hear from you. The good, the bad, and the ugly. He sees it all, and when we release our words, thoughts, emotions, and more, he meets us with his love, grace, mercy, and power. Who else do we have but Jesus?
Psalm 73:21–26 says, “When my soul was embittered, when I was pricked in heart, I was brutish and ignorant; I was like a beast toward you. Nevertheless, I am continually with you; you hold my right hand. You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will receive me to glory. Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” In the Gospel of John, it says, “After this many of his disciples turned back and no longer walked with him. So Jesus said to the twelve, ‘Do you want to go away as well?’ Simon Peter answered him, ‘Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life, and we have believed, and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God’” (John 6:66–69).
Jesus is with you. He isn’t leaving. In fact, he sent the Holy Spirit to be with you. He hears you, he sees you, and he longs for you to see him. Meditate on the Scripture from Psalm 73 or John 6 and write down any hope that rises up, even if it is just a glimmer. Hold on to this glimmer and ask the Holy Spirit to expand your hope. God isn’t leaving you.
Watch Session Two
Jesus Enables the Faithful
Daily Question
When have you felt alone recently? How were you reminded that Jesus was still with you?
Comments (12)
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I felt alone when half my family excommunicated me. But then a friend of mine gave me a word from Papa God and part of what He said was that He held me all those nights I cried and He would never leave me.
I think in general I’ve felt alone the last few months due to COVID and social distancing! Not being able to do as much and enjoy activities with family and friends has been tough! Through this study and reading the word in general I am reminded that he is with me always, until the end of age! That’s a great reminder to meditate on because no matter what life throws at me, he’s always walking beside me through it all!
I feel alone when I get away from my daily devotions. My loneliness is. Spiritual and different from the natural. For instance when I think about my father who is deceased, I am reminded of the talks and times together. I feel lonely in the natural. But I rejoice in our time we shared together with hope that we will be reunited on the other side. While in the spiritual I get lonely when I miss my daily time with God in his eirs. I get lonely when I am not around my sisters in Christ. Thank you Lord, for reminding me that You are waiting for me to rejoin with you in Your word. In Jesus name. Amen
I have felt alone after hearing what could be the progression of my family member’s sickness. I know God’s in control but the possibility of destruction to a love one’s body makes me feel hopeless. I am trying to have faith that an alternative approach will aid them soon enough and God would turn things around. I felt empty inside all day but God is reminding me to look at the past and reflect on how he turned bad situations around.
When I feel alone or have disappointment songs of worship point me back to Jesus.
Had stomach cramps all night, so I didn’t sleep. Praying that Jesus would take away the pain, if it is His will. I have hope that I will feel better soon. Jesus suffered for me, so he knows about pain and agony as he was both human and God.
I started writing in my pocket journal every ‘social’ opportunity I had…a phone call with a friend, a surprise gift in the mail, someone reaching out and saying,"I’m praying for you." These have been my ‘touchstones’, my reminders that I AM NOT ALONE! It was Jesus’ way of saying, "I see you, I know your need for connection, and I will be faithful to provide it."
It has been a challenge to be "connected." I have needed reminders to be the one reaching out, calling, sending cards, etc.
Beginning of the summer I felt alone… not complete with myself and then I one day I had a calling wanting to seek Jesus and wanting to know and understand Him.
I’ve come to realize that often times it’s in the places where we feel most isolated, most uncertain, and most restless, an invitation most worthy is waiting. The invitation, “Come to me…”
Because there really is no friend, no Father, no fulfillment like Him.
I’ve had many different places in my 45 years on earth where I’ve felt “alone” and unseen…especially motherhood. It’s also in this very place, and others, where I have grown closest to the One who is always with me, always seeing and believing in me, always inviting me into deeper faith. Which also means greater joy.
Abigail, keep getting to Jesus. Even when He’s quiet, He’s working all things together for your good and His glory. He is forever committed to completing you. ♥️
when I was in my addiction, the Lord provided the things I needed to know to become clean and sober 5 yrs. this august. God has shown me through his son I can heal. Not only can I heal I can be Healed by his grace and mercy, but I am also thankful he is so forgiving. I know thru my weakness he makes me strong. I know he is with me for I cannot do this alone. through Christ all things are possible.
just a note please all you parents Faith prayer Love, for I was homeless, and an addict Prayers never stopped, and I am where i need to be in the walk with my Lord.
Mainly in my business and the pressure of all of the responsibility being on me solely, God always seems to give me a wink and always shows up right on time to keep me going. I trust he has great things in store for me.