 April 28, 1999
LIFE & WORK:
Loneliness comes to all,
but so does God's care
___ 1 Samuel 22:1-5; Psalm 142: 1-7
___By Doug Riggs
___Woodland Heights Baptist Church, Bedford
___Living on a farm away from people has its lonely moments. Living in a huge city among many people has its lonely moments, also. You can feel just as isolated and disconnected in a crowd as you can in a field. Many people do not really know their neighbors, the student at the desk behind them or the coworker two cubicles down. Even worse, you can isolate yourself from potentially supportive people. The risk of vulnerability runs too high for some.
___Sometimes loneliness arises when people betray your trust or misconstrue your actions  as Saul did David. God never does that. He is a faithful friend, and we can seek his presence in times of loneliness.
___ Life can become lonely (1 Samuel 22:1-5). David wrote Psalm 142 when he was "in the cave." We have no absolute assurance the experience described in 1 Samuel 22 is the same event that gave rise to the hymn of praise. However, the event certainly illustrates how one can feel isolated due to life's circumstances.
___David repeatedly had to leave family and friends as he fled from Saul's attacks on his life. In spite of others around him, no one but God could offer the intimate companionship David desired. He was consumed with concern about his own well-being (v. 3b), that of his family (vv. 3-4) and the men around him (v. 2). The result was loneliness.
___ God hears your lonely cry (Psalm 142:1-3a). David did not merely write psalms of joy when life was good. He also expressed himself when his heart was breaking. He cried aloud and lifted up his voice (v. 1) to God. He poured out his complaint (v. 2) as he told God about his troubles. In fact, David knew that God understood him even when David didn't understand himself (v. 3a).
___Sometimes we try to push God aside during difficult circumstances. Rather than seeking distance, however, we should seek intimacy with God. He hears our pleas. He knows our need.
___ God cares when no one else does (Psalm 142:3b-7a). David felt very isolated at times. His enemies hid snares for him (v. 3b), and his friends failed to protect him (v. 4). No earthly refuge was available, so David turned to God himself (v. 5). David knew he could count on God to rescue him (v. 6) and set him free (v. 7a) even when David felt completely overwhelmed. The entire world may turn against you, but God never does. We can cast all our care upon him, because he cares for us. God's care is all we need. In fact, life's bleakest situations can become times of deepest fellowship with God through honest, sincere prayer.
___ God gives community (Psalm 142:7b). David collected the misfits and the disgruntled around him while he was running from Saul (1 Sam. 22:2). However, he asserts in this verse that God would eventually bring the righteous to his side because of God's goodness. No one can stand for long by himself or herself. God gives us community for support and comfort.
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