(Jesus said) ". . . Yet I am not alone, for My Father is with Me." John 16:32
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ:
The salvation story of Jesus Christ reaches around the world. So that the readers of our Daily Devotion may see the power of the Savior on a global scale, we have asked the volunteers of our International Ministry Centers to write our Friday devotions. We pray that the Spirit may touch your day through their words.
In Christ, I remain, His servant and yours,
Kenneth R. Klaus
Speaker of The Lutheran Hour
Most people do not like being alone. Some people want to keep away from other people, groups, functions, or programs, but most people want to identify themselves with other people or groups.
The real situation that prevails among people is loneliness. Even though loneliness can become unbearable, it can also provide an experience of calmness and contentment for many.
Our Lord Jesus Christ often took time to be by Himself in silence and loneliness. According to John 7:53 and 8:1, everyone was leaving to go home, but Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. He spent His alone times with God.
New ideas and useful thoughts about life and the future come when we spend time with God. For example, many of our great leaders were raised in God-fearing families. We can also stress the fact that, without the companionship of God, we can do nothing and we are nothing.
In the beginning, God created man and woman. God felt it was not good for Adam to be alone so He created Eve to be a companion, partner, and helper. How many of us feel this way? Many young people shout, "Leave me alone!" as they struggle with tension and confusion about finding a true companion.
Many of us fail to realize we are not alone. God, our heavenly Father, gave His son Jesus Christ as our companion. He is with us always. Jesus is also named "Immanuel, which means God with us" (Matthew 1:23b). God sent His Son in the flesh, however, not merely to be our companion but to be our Savior. Without Christ's sacrifice, without His all-atoning work on the cross on our behalf, we would be lost forever -- friendless and doomed by our sins.
But God through His Son has made a better way -- an eternal way that begins in faith in Jesus' work and trusts He will never fail or forsake us. Our Lord also says, "I am with you always, to the end of the age" (Matthew 28:20b). Since Christ is with me, how can I say I am alone?
Dear friends, let us determine who should be our best companion today. The companion we decide upon must be sufficient for us in every aspect of life. Christ is the only one who can dispel our loneliness.
THE PRAYER: Heavenly Father, thank You for being our constant companion and for sending Your one and only Son to conquer our loneliness. Teach us to trust in You. Amen.
Biography of Author:
Rev. E. Eben Titus has pastored three Lutheran churches during a 25-year ministry in India. He assists Lutheran Hour Ministries-India at the Christian Media Centre in Chennai. Using radio and television broadcasts, Bible Correspondence Courses (BCC), Equipping The Saints (ETS), and rallies, the Gospel goes forth in this country of more than one billion people.
To learn more about our International Ministries, click here or visit www.lhmint.org.
Today's Bible Readings: 2 Chronicles 7-9 2 Corinthians 2
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