Your Angelic Bodyguard.

 For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways; Ps 91:11 NIV

Many Christians can sense the presence of the Lord and also the presence of demons, but when you talk about experiences with angels, they become very cautious or critical.

They are afraid of being deceived by devils in disguise.

They emphasise that it is necessary to distinguish between good and evil spirits. There are people who are quick to suspect or detect demonic activity but reluctant to recognise the activity or presence angels.

This is sometimes very understandable because many people in regions read books about angels. These books tell how one can seek a spiritual relationship with certain angels, how one can address prayers to these angels and receive special favours from these angels.

There are good Christians who rightly reject this unbiblical teaching, but then unfortunately do not want to hear about angels.

They don't even want to begin to celebrate the miraculous promises that speak to us of the constant presence and help of God's angels.

Elisha was not at all nervous or reserved about this.

And Elisha prayed, “Open his eyes, LORD, so that he may see.” Then the LORD opened the servant’s eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha. 2 Ki 6:17 NIV

My daughter told me when she was eight years old that she had seen an angel.
I have a friend in Germany whose son also saw his guardian angel when he was 8 years old.

When I was preparing to visit Germany, a woman in our church prophetically said she saw a big angel standing behind me, and I believe this strong angel accompanied me in Germany.

This angel was not just to protect me, because I have my guardian angel like all followers of Jesus, but God had given me another angel to help me in His ministry.

God does this for all His children who do something for God where special miracle-working power is needed.

The Word of God promises that God will always stand by us and protect us through His unconquerable power.

And through your faith, God is protecting you by his power until you receive this salvation, which is ready to be revealed on the last day for all to see. 1 Peter 1:5 NLT

The Greek text tells us that God is guarding us with a garrison, or bodyguard, which refers to angels.

This verse from the Psalms has the same message.

The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them. Ps 34:7 NIV

I am always accompanied by angels and so are you if you follow Jesus and are active in His ministry by faith.

God does not abandon his children.
You should not be afraid of God's angels, and why should you not recognise and celebrate the presence of angels?

That is a gift from God.  

But someone will say that emphasising angels would distract us from worshipping God.

This can happen when our relationship with God is very weak and we seek other sensations.

But if we really love God but talk and think much more about demons than about God's angels, then we are making a very bad mistake.

And that is the situation with many charismatic Christians.
Just as in the story of Elisha, the participation of angels in our lives should be a great encouragement to us.

God is Father, Mother and Friend

 Life is a gift. Everything we are and have comes from God. The Bible presents God to us as Father and Mother.

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. Jas 1:17 NIV

And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus. Php 4:19 NIV

But also in the Bible, our God reveals himself as love, with a tenderness that we expect from a good mother.

But Zion said, “The LORD has forsaken me, the Lord has forgotten me.”
“Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you! Is 49:14–15 NIV

“Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were not willing. Mt 23:37 NIV

God is spirit, neither female nor male, but the Bible emphasises his fatherhood rather than his motherhood for two reasons.

There are many pagan religions that worship mother goddesses, often in a carnal and sexual way. The Bible makes it very clear that the true and living God is totally different from the pagan cults that worshipped sexual goddesses through cult prostitution.

The second reason is the fact that God is strong, the Almighty, whose abilities are limitless, who can do everything, who can totally protect us and wants to help us.

So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Is 41:10 NIV

Your life is a gift from God.

But if you believe in Jesus, you have something more, something infinitely important and wonderful. You have eternal life, a personal fellowship with God. You can know God as your Father and Him as your best friend.

You can also experience the motherly tenderness of the Holy Spirit, and not only in church services, but in your daily life and in your private times of prayer.

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. 2 Cor 5:17 NKJV

No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you. Jn 15:15 NKJV

Just as Jesus invited his first disciples into his holy friendship, he also wants to invite you to become his personal friend. You cannot earn this. You must receive God's friendship through trust.
This is not just for pastors, chosen saints or church leaders.
It is for you.                     

God Still Works Miracles

God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Ps 46:1 NIV

 If your life always runs smoothly and successfully, you can hardly understand this Bible text. You don't need a miracle until you need a miracle.

You don't need God's provision until you need provision.

In early 1994, I lost my job. I hadn't failed, but they no longer needed some language teachers, and I was out of a job.

Just at that time, I had met a dear woman who has now been my wonderful wife of 29 years. I was in a tight spot. I had some money in the bank and I could only find a few hours of temporary work at first. But every time my money ran out, I got enough temp work to barely survive.

It got better step by step. Almost two years later I got married, but I was by no means wealthy. On the contrary. But a year later, I got my job back. A district judge ruled that my dismissal was unjust. I got $20,000 in compensation. Then I was able to buy my first computer.

God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Ps 46:1 NIV

Then we were told we could apply for a promotion, but I thought I had no chance. An older colleague told me I should try.

I spent two sleepless nights writing my application, still handwritten at the time. Then I had my application typed up and sent it by fax. The last page arrived at one minute to five on a Friday afternoon, the absolute deadline.

I was amazed when I got the promotion. I got $5000 more per year.

God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Ps 46:1 NIV

What is your problem?

I had a cancer diagnosis almost three years ago. I prayed earnestly and I received an assurance from the Holy Spirit that God would heal me, without radiation therapy. A year ago I got the good news. In September 2020 I had an MRI scan. No trace of tumours.

I had regular blood tests in the meantime. I'm not a spiritual fool. But the findings were not alarming and finally the confirmation came. God was reliable and faithful.

God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Ps 46:1 NIV

It was too late to brake. She could not avoid a collision. Then she felt a terrible heat. The vehicle drove through her car without making any noise, without causing any damage. It was like something out of a fantasy film.

I know the woman very well. This really happened.

God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Ps 46:1 NIV

Spiritual Warfare

 We see in the New Testament that the war has already been won. The devil was defeated by Jesus on the cross. But if Jesus has already won the war, why do we still have to fight? Do we still have to fight? Of course we do.

Put on the full armour of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. Eph 6:11 NIV

But some say we don't have to fight because the battle is not ours; the battle belongs to the Lord.

But this passive view leads to disaster. Turkey was once a region where the gospel spread marvellously. But the Christians gradually became religious and no longer devoted disciples.

Then Islam came and Christianity was almost one hundred per cent abolished. The devil can win battles if we don't hold on to Jesus and fight for our faith with God's power.

…  for the battle is the LORD’s, … 1 Sam 17:47 NIV

This Bible text is often quoted and misinterpreted. It is said that we do not have to fight against the devil because the battle does not belong to us, but to the Lord.

All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the LORD saves; for the battle is the LORD’s, and he will give all of you into our hands.” 1 Sam 17:47 NIV

But we must understand Bible texts in context. David said these words and then he fought against the soldier of Satan and struck Goliath dead with the supernatural help of the Lord.

There are situations where we must fight the devil with God's help and we may defeat the devil, not with our own strength, but by God intervening supernaturally because the battle belongs to the Lord.

I prayed for a long time for some women who were mentally ill. These were not passive prayers, but a battle in the spirit with the help of God's Spirit. I persevered in prayer for a long time, and not just for a few years. I then saw amazing improvements.

Anyone who does not believe in spiritual warfare and does not believe that miracles are necessary understands very little about Christian love and prayer.

You don't need a miracle until you need a miracle.

Spiritual Warfare

We see in the New Testament that the war has already been won. The devil was defeated by Jesus on the cross. But if Jesus has already won the war, why do we still have to fight? Do we still have to fight? Of course we do.

Put on the full armour of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. Eph 6:11 NIV

But some say we don't have to fight because the battle is not ours; the battle belongs to the Lord.

But this passive view leads to disaster. Turkey was once a region where the gospel spread marvellously. But the Christians gradually became religious and no longer devoted disciples.

Then Islam came and Christianity was almost one hundred per cent abolished. The devil can win battles if we don't hold on to Jesus and fight for our faith with God's power.

…  for the battle is the LORD’s, … 1 Sam 17:47 NIV

This Bible text is often quoted and misinterpreted. It is said that we do not have to fight against the devil because the battle does not belong to us, but to the Lord.

All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the LORD saves; for the battle is the LORD’s, and he will give all of you into our hands.” 1 Sam 17:47 NIV

But we must understand Bible texts in context. David said these words and then he fought against the soldier of Satan and struck Goliath dead with the supernatural help of the Lord.

There are situations where we must fight the devil with God's help and we may defeat the devil, not with our own strength, but by God intervening supernaturally because the battle belongs to the Lord.

I prayed for a long time for some women who were mentally ill. These were not passive prayers, but a battle in the spirit with the help of God's Spirit. I persevered in prayer for a long time, and not just for a few years. I then saw amazing improvements.

Anyone who does not believe in spiritual warfare and does not believe that miracles are necessary understands very little about Christian love and prayer.

You don't need a miracle until you need a miracle.

God Loves Lonely People

 True discipleship can be lonely.

Jesus was rejected by his neighbours in Nazareth and his natural brothers did not believe in him before his resurrection.

Joseph was prophetically gifted, but his brothers sold him to human traffickers. 

After his conversion, Paul was a faithful preacher. He was constantly persecuted.

There are faithful disciples even today who are misunderstood and rejected by their families or churches

There are Christians who have a burning heart to save lost souls. They pray for people on the street. They witness miraculous healings and conversions, but in some places and in some churches they are looked down upon because they are seen as wild fanatics.

If you act exactly like Jesus and the first apostles, many Christians will criticise and reject you.

Consistent discipleship is like a coin with two sides. On one side you will see misunderstanding, rejection and sometimes loneliness. But on the other side you will find new friendships and deep fellowship with God and others.

Then Peter spoke up, “We have left everything to follow you!”

“Truly I tell you,” Jesus replied, “no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for me and the gospel

will fail to receive a hundred times as much in this present age: homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and fields—along with persecutions—and in the age to come eternal life. Mk 10:28–30 NIV

Paul was constantly persecuted, but he had close friendships with Luke, Timothy, Epaphras and other faithful Christians.

It is better to have a couple of real friends than just superficial fellowship in your family and church.

God is love. God is kind.

The LORD God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.”
At the very beginning, God declares that friendship is positive and necessary. Gen 2:18 NIV

Many misunderstand this verse. Eve was to be a help to Adam, but the Hebrew word in no way implies subordination.

The Hebrew word EHSER appears in 21 verses. Twice Eve is referred to, but in 19 verses THE HELPER is God Himself.

Many single women have experienced a close friendship with God. God cared for them like a husband or father.

There are also many lonely people who are not alone because of discipleship and persecution.

In the Bible, Jesus not only healed despised women, lepers and demonised men, but freed them from their shame and isolation.

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. Heb 13:8 NIV

Jesus loves you. He understands your loneliness. He wants to help you. He has never changed.

God's Supernatural Love and Protection

 Just as a bird spreads its wings over its young, he will always protect you and be close to you. His faithfulness surrounds you like a strong shield. Psalm 91:4 (Translated from German Hoffnung für Alle)

As a farmer was walking through his yard, he found a dead chicken. It was badly injured, obviously killed by a bird of prey. When he picked up the chicken, four chicks were still alive. The mother died saving her chicks.

When we look around us, we see a world that has come apart at the seams. Who tore this world apart? God didn't do it.

We can blame the devil, but that is only half-truth. We all need to confess that we have somehow gone wrong. We need God's forgiveness so that we don't suffer eternally separated from God and his goodness after we die.

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. Jn 3:16 NIV

There are many Christians who believe this. They hope to be taken up to heaven after they die, but their life on earth is only a shadow of the supernatural adventure with God that we see in the Bible.

God wants us to go deeper into His love.

Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.

You can experience God's personal love in this way. But how?

“Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you.

For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened. Mt 7:7–8 NLT

If you learn to experience God's deep love, you must expect attacks from the enemy of your soul, but those who live in close friendship with Jesus can have his supernatural protection.

He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
I will say of the LORD, “He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust.” Ps 91:1–2 NKJV

I know a woman who is familiar with God's faithful love. As she was driving home one evening, God saved her from certain death.

It was too late to brake. She could not avoid a collision. Then she felt a terrible heat. The vehicle drove through her car without making any noise, without causing any damage. It was like something out of a fantasy film.

Community, Identity and Belonging.

 We all have a longing for community. Without a sense of belonging, we often feel insecure and lonely.

Then the LORD God said, “It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper as his partner.” Gen 2:18 NRSV

On the other hand, we are afraid of rejection by being excluded from our family or community.

Our identity can hardly be separated from our sense of belonging.

Your name identifies you as a member of a nation or religion. Ahmed or Mohammed Ali is probably Muslim. Aaron Goldstein is probably Jewish, and Ashkenazi. Siobon is a woman of Irish origin and Vladimir is Russian.

At a football match, we not only see the footballers, but also most of the spectators belong to one team or another.

Within a nation, many people identify with their region. Many Bavarians regard northern Germans as outsiders. In the Rhineland, there is a rivalry between Düsseldorf and Cologne and there is a rivalry between Melbourne and Sydney in Australia.

In England, Italy, Germany and the United States, we still see a rivalry between North and South. In Germany today people speak of Ossis and Wessis. (East and West Germans.)

In the New Testament, the religious leaders in Jerusalem looked down on the Galileans.
The conflict between north and south in Israel lasted for centuries.

Muslims told me that Muslims should never kill other Muslims. I have asked why there are so many wars between Muslims. The usual answer is that the enemies are not true Muslims.

Once I asked why the enemies in a war are not considered Muslims, but when the pilgrims gather in Mecca every year, all kinds of Muslims are recognised. The Muslim couldn't explain it.

But we Christians are sometimes no different. Some Protestant Christians are convinced that no Catholic can go to heaven. There are also Catholics who believe that only Catholics can be true Christians.

There are Lutherans who condemn all free churches as sects, and there are free churches that look down on Lutherans.

There are also free churches that do not recognise Pentecostals as Christians.

But you are not saved because you belong to a denomination, but through your personal relationship with Jesus.

Shortly before his arrest and execution, Jesus spoke some especially important words to His disciples.

 
“I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinegrower. Jn 15:1 NRSV

I am the vine, you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing. Jn 15:5 NRSV

Your membership does not primarily consist of your membership of your family, your church, your denomination or your nation.

When you live in close fellowship with Jesus, you can get rid of your insecurities. God loves you as his own child.

Are you then no longer who you are? You still remain American or Canadian, man or woman, teacher or taxi driver, perhaps Pentecostal or Baptist or ....

You are you and God has created you uniquely. No one is like you.

But you belong to God's family and you are no longer an ordinary citizen, but a son or daughter of the almighty King in heaven.

Concentrate on God and Expect His Help

What is dominating your thinking? Your illness or God's healing?
Where do you direct your thoughts? Your fears, or God's saving love?

A scientist in the USA studied HIV AIDS patients for four years.
Patients who believed in God's love recovered significantly better.
Patients who believed that God loved them personally recovered much better.

When you are in distress, you will experience a battle in your mind.
On one side is faith, hope and the love of God.
On the other side, fears and doubts keep popping up.

That is normal.

But God has given you free will. Where will you focus your attention?

We can fail or overcome in all areas of life. Life is just like that.

A sports psychologist was invited to help professional footballers. He wanted to teach and strongly emphasise the principle of concentration. In football, as in all areas of life, concentration is essential for success. Distraction is the enemy.

The psychologist placed a large football trophy on a table in front of the team. He said they had to keep their eyes on the cup for seven minutes.

They started looking at the trophy and the psychologist reminded them not to give in to distractions, not to look at their friends, not to look at the laptop on the table, etc.

The only professional footballer who looked at the trophy for seven minutes straight was the superstar of the team.

The other footballers glanced here and there, at their friends, at the laptop, etc.

What did the football champion do differently from his team-mates?

He looked at the inscription on the trophy. He read the inscription over and over again and systematically stored the words in his memory.

Do you need healing from cancer or depression? Perhaps liberation from porn?
Where do you direct your gaze on the screen of your mind?

When Joshua was to lead the Hebrews into the Promised Land, he received these instructions from God.

Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. Jos 1:8 NIV

And what did Joshua say to the Hebrews?

“Remember the command that Moses the servant of the LORD gave you after he said, ‘The LORD your God will give you rest by giving you this land.’ Jos 1:13 NIV

Your thoughts determine the direction of your life.

How can you control your thoughts?

You must realise that your thoughts and feelings do not control you. You can direct and control your thoughts.

God's promises and instructions are like the inscription on the victory trophy that God has set before you.

What is your victory trophy? Healing? Deliverance? Reconciliation with friends or family? A good job?

You can be like the football striker who focuses only on the goal and doesn't get distracted.

He forgives all your iniquity; he heals all your diseases. Ps 103:3 CSB

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. Jer 29:11 NKJV

That's all well and good, but you and I are just weak people.

But we don't just have God's word. If Jesus is the most important person in your life, you can rely on his help. He will never let you down.

… And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” Mt 28:20 NRSV

Remember, think about it. He is with you all the time.

Never Give up Believing

 A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you. Ps 91:7 NIV

Why do so many Christians pray for healing, protection or care but do not receive?

I have experienced miracles time and time again, but I don't want to be the kind of person who looks down on others because they haven't experienced a miracle.

We often don’t know why someone has not been healed, and we should not judge.

“Do not judge, or you too will be judged. Mt 7:1 NIV

When I was healed from a terrible nervous breakdown more than 40 years ago, I often felt fear. I had many panic attacks. I often doubted and needed strong encouragement from Christians with stronger faith.

I also saw other Christians who were mentally ill and were not healed.

I needed strong medication, and for me medication and prayer were both valid and important.

But I kept praying for healing, and strove to trust God and expect healing.

Never give up! Healing doesn't often come immediately. Don't be discouraged by setbacks.

Don't let yourself think or talk for a minute about the disappointments of other sick people.

It's all about God's love and healing power for you, for yourself.

Do you believe that God forgives your sins? Some believe that, but are not sure if God wants to heal them.

He forgives all your iniquity; he heals all your diseases. Ps 103:3 CSB

The same God who promises forgiveness of sins has also promised to heal all your diseases in the same Bible verse.

No matter who is not healed, no matter what other Christians believe, no matter how many times you yourself have been disappointed, just hold onto God's love and God's promises for yourself.

A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you. Ps 91:7 NIV

So be careful to do what the LORD your God has commanded you; do not turn aside to the right or to the left. Dt 5:32 NIV

Pay no attention to other Christians who remain sick. Do not look to the right or to the left.

Freedom from Real and False Guilt

 Psychologists warn us about the toxic effects of guilt. But many preachers condemn psychologists because they want to explain away feelings of guilt as neuroses, instead of recognising our guilt in God's eyes.

In reality, all people are guilty because we disrespect God and treat our fellow human beings unjustly.
 
When Adam and Eve ate the forbidden fruit, they immediately became guilty because they disobeyed God.

But their feelings of guilt were also partly neurotic and false. They were ashamed to be naked, even though it was not a sin to be naked together as man and wife.

The LORD God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to till it and keep it.

And the LORD God commanded the man, “You may freely eat of every tree of the garden;

but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall die.” Ge 2:15–17 NRSV

Then Eve was deceived by the devil's lies.

But the serpent said to the woman, “You will not die;

for God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” Ge 3:4–5 NRSV

That was a lie. Adam and Eve ate of the forbidden fruit, and immediately they became unable to properly discern good from evil, because it was not a sin to be naked.

We still see this confusion. There are women in Africa who walk around with bare breasts without feeling guilty, and there are women in the Middle East who feel guilty if they don't wear a headscarf.

Jesus died on the cross to free us from our sin and guilt.

All we like sheep have gone astray; we have all turned to our own way, and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all. Is 53:6 NRSV

If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

If we confess our sins, he who is faithful and just will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 Jn 1:8–9 NRSV

But many Christians confess their sins and still remain burdened by feelings of guilt. They still feel guilty, even though God promises that their sins are forgiven.

There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. Ro 8:1 NRSV

They are plagued by shame, unworthiness and self-loathing.

A woman sins or is raped and has an unwanted child. The child always feels unwanted and rejected. Children like this often feel responsible for their mother's suffering

The child feels guilty about his or her own existence. If the child then really does sin, there is never any forgiveness in his own eyes.

It is well known that women who have been abused or raped are often rejected and judged by others. They then feel guilty, even though they were actually victims.

When Adam and Eve sinned, they broke off their close relationship with God. Without a loving relationship with God, they could not clearly distinguish between good and evil.

Are you burdened by guilt and shame? Jesus wants to invite you to come to him so that he can forgive you completely and heal your deeply wounded soul.

“Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Mt 11:28 NRSV

Why are we here?

So many people consider themselves wise because they are sceptical. They believe in a scientifically confirmed reality.

The achievements of modern science and technology are truly amazing. 

We know so much now that was completely unknown a hundred or two hundred years ago.
But there are still many mysteries that the best scientists do not understand.

What is dark matter? There is a lot of matter in space that no instrument can identify, but scientists tell us that this invisible matter must be there because otherwise many gravitational phenomena are inexplicable.

We know that matter is made of atoms, that atoms are composed of protons, neutrons and electrons, and many other things that I don't understand because I'm not a scientist. 

We fly from Europe to Australia in 20 hours and use laptops on the plane.

The achievements of scientists have seduced us into thinking we are amazingly intelligent, even though we understand so little.

Educated scientists and technicians can explain a lot. They understand how things work, but when confronted with existential fears, we are in the dark. In the end, even scientists are only mortal human beings.

What happens when we die? Doctors can explain how our bodies shut down when we die, but what comes after that?

We imagine that we understand things that we don't understand at all, but we have a kind of religious faith in the supposed omniscience of scientists.

For many people, science is the new religion. Even if we don't understand this alleged reality, we trust our high priests, the scientists.

Why does anything exist at all? The best scientists have no better answers than toddlers.

Albert Einstein was led to believe in God through his studies. Without God, everything makes no sense.

But if we understand everything as God's creation, how can we explain the existence of evil?

How can God be good if he is the creator and allows so much evil? I can find the answer only in the Bible.

Have you read the Bible with an open heart? I find that the Bible is the only remedy that can save us from hopelessness.

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. Jn 3:16 NIV84

Comfort in Loneliness

What comforts you in your loneliness?

• Do you have a friend you can call?

• Do you have a book that touches your heart? Do you have a favourite song that cheers you up?

• Do you know a Christmas carol that you can sing with a little joy?

• Do you have a happy memory that makes you smile?
  

 Are you overwhelmed by fear and bitterness? Please don't give up!

Maybe you have a neighbour who is also lonely. Can you give some food or groceries to a neighbour who has nothing?

Jesus was also lonely on this earth. He found comfort in the Psalms.

Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me, for in you my soul takes refuge; in the shadow of your wings I will take refuge, till the storms of destruction pass by.

I cry out to God Most High, to God who fulfils his purpose for me.

He will send from heaven and save me; he will put to shame him who tramples on me. Selah God will send out his steadfast love and his faithfulness! Psalm 57:1–3 ESV

Jesus was fully satisfied in the love of the Father in heaven before creation, but he came to us here to comfort you. 

Here on earth he knew what loneliness was. He exposed himself to loneliness to comfort you in your loneliness.

When Jesus was hanging on the cross, he prayed in despair.

My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? ... Psalm 22:2

But in the end he prayed to the Father:

And when Jesus had cried out with a loud voice, He said, “Father, ‘into Your hands I commit My spirit.’ ” Having said this, He breathed His last. Luke 23:46 NKJV

This is good prayer if you are dying, but you can also pray it if you feel like dying. God raised Jesus from the dead. He wants to raise you up from your depression.

You can surrender your spirit into God's loving hands now. He loves you.

When God lifts you out of the pit of despair, you will know how to comfort others.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort,

who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. 2 Corinthians 1:3–4 ESV