JESUS SPEAKING
Jesus answered them, “Do you now believe? Indeed the hour is coming, yes, has now come, that you will be scattered, each to his own, and will leave me alone. And yet I am not alone, because the Father is with me” (John 16: 31 – 32.)
INSPIRED THOUGHTS
Jesus, knowing that he would soon be detained and crucified, informed his disciples that they would abandon him in his time of greatest need. Sure enough, upon being arrested, his closest friends fled in terror; preferring self preservation over fearless fidelity. In solitude he endured a gruesome ordeal; being interrogated, beaten, flogged, spit upon, and mocked; he was pierced by thorns, by a spear, and by nails. Weakened and maimed, he struggled to carry his cross through the streets of Jerusalem (and through the angry mobs who hurled insults at him.) Half naked and covered in blood, the Son of God finally reached his destination. At mount Calvary he was raised up under the hot sun to experience a slow grueling death by exposure, dehydration, and suffocation. Jesus Christ endured this pain willingly; but he did not endure it alone; for God was with him. He was strengthened, consoled, and comforted by our loving Father. We, like Jesus will struggle through painful trials. Life is filled with obstacles and challenges. Yet those whom God has chosen will never struggle in isolation. The elect will always have a perpetual helper; an eternal friend; and a constant companion.
Many years ago I experienced a period of extreme suffering; I lived a life of selfishness and depravity. I actively abused drugs, my body, and other people. In a downward spiral of self-destruction, I managed to push away nearly every human being. I lived alone in an apartment. Isolated from the world and plagued with paranoia, I struggled to survive (using drugs in excess, I often stayed awake for weeks on end.) One dark day, in the depths of my addiction, I overdosed. As I lay in bed, my body began to shut down. A feeling of death slowly crept up my fingers and toes; as if my limbs were turning to concrete; I recall thinking, “This must be what it feels like to be a wall, or a stone; or some other dead, inanimate object.” Fearing my own demise, I mustered all of the strength I had left to speak; and out of my mouth came the words, “Jesus help me…Jesus help me…Jesus help me.” As I continually repeated this phrase, the dead feeling began to recede back down my limbs (the life returned to my body and I recovered fully.) Jesus Christ saved me from the jaws of death and eternal condemnation. Although I had abandoned God, God had not abandoned me; despite my belief that I was alone in that apartment I was not; for God was present with me. Sometime later I gave my life to the Lord, and I now know that He has always been with me; protecting and preventing; guiding and directing; watching and waiting, for the day of my salvation. Today, I realize that no matter how great the difficulties I might face, I will never again face them alone.
Even when we feel completely alone, we are not. When family, friends, and society itself has turned away from us, God is near. He waits patiently for every sinner to receive His free gift. Our Heavenly Father is anxious to love and to forgive. He is desperate to embrace the lonely, the lost, and the lifeless. Cry out to Him and He will hear you. Have faith in Christ and you will know salvation. Turn to The Lord and grab hold of your constant companion; He is a Father who will love you eternally; a friend who will stand beside you forever; and a God “who will never leave you, nor forsake you.”
“Lord Heavenly Father, we cry out to You now; reveal Yourself to us; we accept Your sacrifice and fully embrace You. May You never leave us nor forsake us. May You always dwell within our hearts; comfort us; direct us; and fellowship with us eternally. Lord Jesus, may we never be lonely again; knowing that You are our everlasting companion; our Compassionate Creator; and our faithful friend. We love You Father; we love You Lord Jesus; and we ask and pray all of these things according to Your will, in Jesus Christ’s name, amen.” God bless all of you.
Jesus Speaks 