Excerpt from God Speaks into Darkness (Easterling): Are You Lonely Tonight?

Excerpt from the award-winning book, God Speaks into Darkness, by Bennett Easterling, MSI Press author, winner of many book awards. 

Are You Lonely Tonight?

Inspired by Psalm 120

If you’re a believer sincerely trying to follow the Lord, you’re going to feel pretty lonely at times. Hello?

Listen to the Psalmist crying on God’s shoulder:

“Deliver me, O Lord, from this world of liars. They have lied so much it’s become a way of life. O lying tongue, what shall become of you? You will be pierced with sharp arrows and burned with red-hot coals.

My troubles multiply among these God-haters; these scoundrels, scalawags, and scammers! I am weary of their talk of plots and revenge; they love wars and hate peace. My voice for peace is drowned out in their councils, by those clamoring for war.

In my lonely troubles, I pled with God to help me. I opened my heart to him, crying out for him to intervene. And, once again, he heard my plea and came to my aid. Thank you Abba!”

Have you noticed that lying is becoming commonplace in our society, almost the norm instead of the exception? Businessmen lie to customers, politicians to their constituents, school children to their teachers, teenagers to their parents, even some priests and pastors to their followers.  

Meanwhile, Lord, your people are being left behind. Nothing is going their way—or so it seems. Others scheme, lie, and cheat their way to the top while believers are often bypassed and forgotten.

Are you, like the Psalmist, longing for a soulmate?

“Lord, help me! I’m looking for a soulmate who can be trusted. Where has integrity gone? The godly seem to be in hiding! My troubles are their entertainment, Lord. These high and mighty pretenders intimidate your people with their laws of the jungle.”

You know how lonely it is, Lord, to face a hostile world of hypocrites, deceivers, and connivers. Help your lonely and weary ones, trying to follow your example and live in peace. Give us self-discipline, guided by your Spirit, to keep loving, forgiving, and praying for even these unlovely ones!  Help us to count them not as enemies but derailed pilgrims still salvageable by your grace.

We do well to remember that our Lord was alone in the garden of Gethsemane while his disciples were sleeping. You may well ask, “But, what do the ordeals and agonies of Jesus have to do with me?” Do you suppose the Messiah, after being deserted and betrayed, can better identify with your isolation and loneliness?

Can you imagine how lonely Jesus felt when his own family rejected him? When his brothers and childhood friends mocked and made fun of him, do you think it grieved his heart? When Judas betrayed him to his murderers and Peter denied him with a curse? Or, when he hung on the cross dying, and screamed, “My God, my God! Why have you abandoned me?” Dearly beloved friend of Jesus, if you’re lonely tonight, your Lord understands!

Jesus said, “When you are reviled and persecuted and lied about because you are my followers, that’s to your credit. Be happy about it! Be very glad, for a tremendous reward is waiting for you in heaven. And remember, God’s prophets endured the same persecution you’re are going through.”

 Blessed Redeemer, you’re a charter member of the Lonely Hearts Club! Thank you for helping us cope with this lonely life—until we’re safely home with you. 

All reviewers have given God Speaks into Darkness five stars.

 

Read more posts by and about Bennett Easterling and his books HERE.