AND YET, I AM NOT ALONE

" . . . and yet I am not alone, because the Father is with me. (Psa 143:5)

The night of our Lord's betrayal was a grievous night, indeed! In a remark that unveiled the innermost part of His soul, the Savior said, "My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death" (Matt 26:38). The cup He would be required to drink was bitter beyond comprehension. Never had His soul been soiled with transgression. Yet, the Lord was going to "lay upon Him the iniquity of us all" (Isa 53:6).

The contemplation of this drove Jesus to fervent prayer. It is written, "being in agony, He prayed more earnestly. Then His sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground" (Lk 22:44). Who can measure the impact of Jesus bearing the sins of the world! He "poured out His soul unto death," making it an "offering for sin" (Isa 53:10,12).

It was difficult enough for the Savior to pass through this time. However, He would be left alone to do it. His own disciples would abandon Him. How jarring the words, "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."

He was really not alone! The Father was with Him in the Garden, and when He was arrested. God was with Him when He stood before the calloused high priest, and heard the trumped up charges against Him. He was with Him when He was stood before Pilate, and when He was mocked and challenged before Herod. He stood with Him during the merciless beatings He endured, and when they pressed a crown of thorns upon His brow. As He journeyed the bloody trail to Calvary, the Father was with Him! When they nailed Him to the tree, and hoisted Him to hang between heaven and earth in public shame, the Father was with Him.

The Father strengthened Him to make provisions for His mother, to forgive a penitent thief, and to pray for His murderers to be forgiven. It was not until He bore the iniquities of the world into an uninhabitable place that God forsook Him, cursing Him, and making Him to be "sin for us" (Matt 27:46; Gal 3:13; 2 Cor 5:21). Until that hour, when the sun refused to shine, and "there was a darkness over all the earth" from the sixth to the ninth hour (Lk 23:44), the Father was with Him. Though He was alone, He was not REALLY alone!

As our High Priest, the Lord Jesus administers mercy and grace to us "in the time of need" (Heb 4:15-16). A feeling of abandonment is a very real experience for those living by faith. Elijah felt it under the juniper tree (Rom 11:3). The mighty Apostle Paul felt it when he was forsaken by everyone in a critical hour (2 Tim 4:16). The Patriarch Jacob was left alone, and wrestled with an angel of God (Gen 32:24). Such experiences are a test to our faith, and are not pleasant.

Perhaps you have passed through the valley, where it seems no one comes to your aid. It is as though you were a "bottle in the smoke," left to hang alone, as it were, in the fire of testing and trial (Psa 119:83). These are times when "we are troubled on every side," without are "fightings," and within are "fears" (2 Cor 7:5). You cannot shout such times into oblivion, and often it seems as though Satan mocks you in your weakness. Everything about the experience tells you that you are alone–totally alone.

But you are NOT alone! There is another dimension to your life! You have been "joined to the Lord," and are "one Spirit" with Him (1 Cor 6:17). He has committed Himself to be with you. Do you not hear His words in your heart? "When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they will not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be scorched, Nor will the flame burn you" (Isa 43:2, NASB). Do you doubt this belongs to you? Hear the promise again. "I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee" (Heb 13:5).

When circumstance appears to be against you, and all your peers forsake you, you must remember the words of the Lord. "I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me" (Heb 13:5-6).

PRAYER POINT: Father, through Jesus Christ, I thank You for Your commitment to Your people. I thank you that You have put that commitment into words, and moved upon men to write it down. In Christ I find great solace in knowing Your are for me, and not against me.

-- Monday: Conclusion, RESTORATION AND RECOVERY --
-- Tuesday: New Series, PERFECTION IN CHRIST --