Why prophets are lonely

As I picked it up, I found another ten pound bill. It was obvious from their condition that the bills had lain there for some time. I could not believe my eyes! While I stood there stunned, a lady passed by and noticed what I had discovered. That afternoon, I had a wonderful hot meal in the student cafeteria—a great reminder of the awesome God we serve.

The difficult periods of life serve as the anvil God utilizes to fashion and mold us into His image. Few people understood this better than the prophet Jeremiah. Jeremiah reflects on a holy and loving God who demands obedience.

Prayer also serves as a vehicle for wisdom and clarification from God as we take time to listen. Jeremiah could speak freely to the Lord concerning issues. As seen above, he felt free to question the Lord. And, elsewhere, Jeremiah even expresses anger as he prays to the Lord e.

In this, the most autobiographical prophetic book, we find the author communicating with the Lord on a profound level. When you seek me in prayer and worship, you will find me available to you. God is his own interpreter, and he will make things plain. He will draw near to the one who runs to Him James Jeremiah benefited from the presence of several individuals in his life.

One of these who is significant for our study is an Ethiopian slave named Ebed Melech — Without food or water, the prophet was abandoned, left to die for encouraging the Jews to surrender to the Babylonians—action tantamount to treason.

Alone, floods of emotions undoubtedly plagued Jeremiah. How will anyone be able to find me in this obscure location? Will anyone care enough to come to my rescue? I doubt Jeremiah would have ever dreamed that an Ethiopian slave would be the one to rescue him.

Ebed Melech risked his own life as he confronted King Zedekiah and requested that the king remove Jeremiah from the pit. Ebed Melech then personally oversaw the rescue of the prophet, ensuring that Jeremiah was unharmed in the process e. How ironic that only a foreigner, single I might add, cared enough to rescue the abandoned prophet!

I have found that during my times of loneliness, I so easily overlook the people the Lord has strategically and graciously placed in my life. My first weeks in Germany contained many embarrassing and trying moments. Struggling to speak German, I needed to register at the university, open a bank account, purchase groceries, and learn the social taboos of living in the Albrecht-Bengel Haus, a residency primarily for theological students.

His companionship pushed the shadows of loneliness into the far recesses of my soul. Granted, the presence of people does not necessarily remove the possibility of loneliness. In fact, statistics show that many married people are lonely. But we were designed and saved for the purpose of community. We need one another as members of the family of God. To have friends one must show himself or herself to be friendly Prov.

And yet, you might echo the response of a single adult who retorted,. I was born again as a result of being divorced so I praise the Lord for my divorce. I try to be a blessing, but I am so lonely. Sometimes you get tired of giving, of hurting and you just want to talk and fit in. As for fitting in, forget it.

No one understands, because they are couple-oriented. How could they? Endnote I recognize that not everyone will understand. Certainly Jeremiah faced so-called friends who not only misunderstood him but even sought to kill him e.

Nevertheless, I would argue that one of the provisions the Lord can and will make for us is people. If nothing else, you have been placed into His family and you are now part of a Christian community. There were periods when Jeremiah was alone and when he struggled with loneliness; but the prophet also experienced companionship and devotion. Conclusion The life of Jeremiah continues to amaze me.

In spite of all that he experienced, Jeremiah never quit. His resolve to be obedient to his calling is both convicting and challenging. Frequently alone and at times lonely, the weeping prophet continued to minister to the Jewish people.

Used by permission of the publisher. All rights reserved. Robert S. Recent statistics seem to indicate that loneliness among Americans will only rise. Between and , single-person households rose from 13 to 25 percent of the total, while households of married couples with children dropped from 44 to 25 percent, according to the U. Now here was another troubler, Micaiah. Any true prophet of God will be seen by most as a troublemaker and a bearer of bad news. That must always be the way it is.

The false prophets will always give you all the good news you want, they will always tickle your ears and whisper sweet nothings into them. But the real man of God will fearlessly proclaim the whole counsel of God, even if he must stand alone, and even if he must pay a heavy price for doing so. When God is on your side, and his truth is with you, it does not matter if you stand against false prophets.

We must not flinch in proclaiming a hard word when needed, even if it means we will be rejected, despised, mocked, ridiculed and forced to stand alone. Jesus was forced to stand alone — and die — for our sakes, so how can we do anything less in return? Just as the handful of Suns fans would have been very brave indeed — especially if wearing their team colours — that day in Geelong, and just as Micaiah would have been extremely brave to defy the king and stand against the false prophets, so too it will be for any real follower of Christ who puts Him and His will above all else.

And this will always result in living a lonely life. That is a spiritual principle which cannot be broken. Though a man were surrounded by a vast crowd, his cross is his alone and his carrying of it marks him as a man apart. May we faithfully and loyally carry our cross, no matter what the cost, and no matter how many friends and family members forsake us. That is the price we must pay for fully following our Lord.

But to be alone with men is to be intimate with God. I know which one I prefer. Do you? View all posts by Bill Muehlenberg. OK, let me be the first to comment. I encourage everyone to read the full article here:. Simon the Cyrene was conscripted by a Roman soldier to help Jesus carry the cross.

John Angelico. Could not agree with you more. As you would well know from cold, hard, experience, the cost associated with taking the resolute, authentic, biblical, Christian line in the face of unbelievers, and sometimes even believers, is immense. Nevertheless, we must, if we are to remain faithful followers of Christ, be prepared to endure it by carrying our individual crosses; whatever the cost.

On a flippant note, however, you do seem to be arguing, in your analogy, that supporting the Gold Coast Suns is preferable to supporting Geelong.

I do hope I am wrong! Dunstan Hartley. However, when you mentioned that Koorong had 6 and 10 packs of his books on special, I bought the 10 pack. BTW, we will have to convert you to the real footy game: Rugby League. The Melbourne Storm have won the Minor Premiership and have an excellent chance of winning the Premiership. God bless, Paul de la Garde, Sydney. I really needed to hear that Bill! So comforting! God bless you! You are an amazing man!! Jane Byrne. Jeremiah said in Chap …. I am weary of holding it in; indeed, I cannot.

A prophet has to speak the truth. A message weighs more and more heavily on his heart until he gives it out. Thanks so much for sharing this, Bill.

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