Aloneness With God

“Many there be which say of my soul, There is no help for him in God. Selah. But thou, O LORD, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head.” (Ps 3:2-3 AV)

 

David writes this at a time in his life when almost all abandoned him.  The people who he is referencing in verse two are his son and the vast majority of Israel.  They have assumed since David is on the run from a son and nation who do not desire him and want him dead, that God is not helping him.  David knows better.  He was promised the throne by almighty God.  Man cannot take it from him.  What struck me this morning is the loneliness of David compared to his faith in God alone.  A normal person would be very discouraged if left alone and accused of having no God to help him.  Not David.  His life was full of these moments.  He stood alone against the lion and bear.  He stood alone against Goliath.  At times, he stood alone fleeing from Saul.  He stood alone when his own tribe rejected him.  He stood alone just before Saul’s death when even the 600 men with him gave up on him.  All these times of loneliness prepared him to be an effective leader.  This is one ability a leader must nurture.  He must learn that at times, there will be no one to stand with you but stand you must.  There will be times when a battle rages and you alone are the ones who face the enemy.  Bless God for His ever-abiding presence.  This is what David wishes to share.

We all face times of life when it is hard to include the help of others.  Times of struggle over sin seem to never go away.  Times of deep loss.  Times of self-doubt.  Times of quietness when meditation upon one’s walk with God becomes all-consuming.  In these times, others may be of help, but they are not the cure.  I think of Job who was asked of God to go through a deep and almost impossible time of testing and loss.  His three friends tried to solve the problem and give answers that would cure Job’s grief.  All to no avail.  All they did was manage to drive Job deeper into his state of despair.  The one voice he needed to hear from was slow in coming.  God allowed Job to process his situation before He answered his grief.  Job had no one.  Not even his wife was a comfort to him.  God was always there.  He had never left Job.  God may have been silent for a very brief moment, but He knows Job’s frame and would not allow him to suffer above that which he was able.  God knows our frame and even though there may be little human help can offer, to understand David’s faith here is a great help.  This means we have to be actively walking in obedience and faith with God before the trial comes.  We cannot wait until a deep need comes and then all of a sudden expect our relationship with God to be as intimate as if it was never estranged.

There is a difference between loneliness and aloneness.  The former is not a good thing.  The latter has benefits.  The former is an injury to the soul and heart.  Loneliness is a disease of the heart that needs constant attention.  Loneliness should never be an issue with the saint.  God has promised to never leave nor forsake.  There should never be a time when we feel lonely.  If we do, that is on us.  Aloneness can be a good thing.  In these times, God is with us as never before.  We learn that God is able and capable to carry us through even the hardest of times.  As we sit in a hospital chapel in a mind and heart of prayer for a loved one, words of consolation, although well-meaning, are not sufficient to meet the need.  It is the presence of God that makes the difference.  Being alone with God draws the heart much closer to the One we love.  The mind and heart begin to trust in ways they have never trusted before.  God become far more intimate.  David, in his aloneness, sought and leaned on God.  It was nice to have his 600 men with him.  But when push came to shove, it was God who got him through.  The above mockers meant their words like swords and spear piercing to the hope of David’s heart.  What they didn’t know is what David knew.  He may have been alone, but he wasn’t lonely.  He may have had very little human support, but he had God and that was all he needed.