"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE FOR LONELY HEARTS"

"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE FOR LONELY HEARTS"

1st Cor 10:13 No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.
NKJV

1st Cor 10:13 But remember that the temptations that come into your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will keep the temptation from becoming so strong that you can’t stand up against it. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you will not give in to it.
NLT

Some explanatory thoughts, application, and a prayer:

1. Paul is giving us a statement, that includes some facts and a promise, and I'd like to apply this to the harsh reality of loneliness.
While the verse does not mention the issue of loneliness, the verse has much to say by way of offerning hope to the person, or person(s) who are dealing with "loneliness" I don't think I need to write out a Websters Dictionary Definition, but here's one anyways. Here's what it said. Sad from being apart from other people, causing sad feelings that come from being apart from other people. And, finaly not visited by or traveled on by many people. So, let's dig into this verse and find the Hope from God's Word that applies in this area.

2. First of all, Paul reminds us that our trial or temptaion in this area is common to man. In other words, there are many people who all experience whatever particular trial or temptation that a person is going through. It's a play on words, but for those who are lonely, there are other believers who are also lonely. They know what you know, and they are going through what you are going through. 

3. But, says Paul. Here's an additional truth, and, it' this, that God is faithful, or dependable, or can be trusted. And, there are two specifics about God's faithfulness that Paul lists for us here. 

(1) God will not allow the temptation, or trial to become so strong that you can't stand up against it. He will never allow you to go through more then you can handle. Although, it certainly and often seems, as if it's right at the breaking point. We say things, and feel things like, "I just don't think I can take any more of this" It's as if we are facing a hopeless future with no way out in sight. 

(2) And, here's the second truth about God's faithfulness, or dependability.  "but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it" This does not mean, that God will just remove the trial, but it means that in the trial, God will reveal a way for you to escape the sense of it being so overwhelming as it were, and will show you how to bear it. In other words in the trial you are going through God promises to show you how You can bear it, or show a way out, so that you will not give in to it. 

4. So, in pulling all this together. If you are at this time going through a difficult time of being lonely, may I encourage you to look at this verse from 1st Cor 10:13, and ponder it, pray for God to help you understand it, be patient, and know that God indeed is faithful, and He will do what He has promised. Pray for wisdom about what God wants you to do in this trial. May I offer a suggestion, that I believe will be of tremendous help to you? Please consider asking God where and how He might open a door for You to serve Him, by serving His people. In other words, the way of escape for being lonely, may very well be found in simply serving the Lord in some new capacity. Ask Your pastor what needs there are in the church, and see if any of those needs ring a bell in your heart. Or maybe there is some new ministry that God would have you start in your church. 

5. Here's a promise from the Lord Jesus. It's not found anywhere in the Gospels, but Paul assures us that Jesus did indeed say it.  Acts 20:35 “I have shown you in every way, by laboring like this, that you must support the weak. And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” The crux of the matter in this verse, is that there is a blessing associated with giving. And, we know that God cannot lie. He wants to bless you, and reaching out to serve other's may very indirectly, bring comfort to your lonely soul. 

A prayer:

Father, for many reading this devotional, loneliness may not be an issue they deal with. But, for many others it may be very familiar to them. We would like to bring those people before Your throne of Grace, and ask for mercy and grace to help them in the midst of this trial/temptation. Thank You for the facts, the promise and the instruction in 1st Cor 10:13, and the truth of Acts 20:35.
Please guide the lonely to find Your way of escape, so that they can bear up under the loneliness, and if it's by giving and serving, then please show them what You have in mind, loud and clear. Give them the wisdom you promise to give to all who will ask of You. James I:5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. In Jesus name. Amen

Pastor Bob Grenier