BIBLE PASSAGE:
But I am a worm and not a man,
scorned by everyone, despised by the people.
(Psalm 22:6)
MEDITATION:
Have you ever felt like you were on an island….by yourself….alone?
It seems that you have trouble connecting with others,
and even when you do, you are skeptical about your relationship with them?
As a result, you find yourself in a state of constant restlessness
and living in a silo surrounded by walls that keep others out.
God does not want us to live a life of isolation from others.
Sometimes we have created this environment for ourselves,
but there is also the possibility that others have driven us into this valley.
Regardless of how we fell into this rut, we need to get out of it!
But how do we do that? How do we change and connect with others?
We open the book full of instructions, advice, and guidance – the bible.
The psalmist experienced a tremendous feeling of isolation and aloneness.
How did he handle it?
First of all he acknowledged where he was and was not in denial of his situation.
He realized the magnitude of his isolation and his failure to connect with others.
All who see me mock me; they hurl insults, shaking their heads.
“He trusts in the LORD,” they say, “let the LORD rescue him.
Let him deliver him, since he delights in him.” (Psalm 22:7-8)
He was ostracized by others due to his relationship with the Lord.
As a result of his faith and trust in the Lord, others turned their backs on him.
However, from a positive standpoint, they were mentioning the name of the Lord.
Even though they made fun of David, they acknowledged
the Lord’s existence, and the psalmist’s dependence on Him.
So, how did David seek relief from his situation?
He turned to the One he knew he could depend on (he put his faith into action).
Do not be far from me, for trouble is near and there is no one to help.
(Psalm 22:11)
Why did he take this course of action?
Because he had an intimate connection with the Lord.
Before we look at his plea for help, look at the devastating impact his isolation
was having on him (a feeling of hopelessness, fear, and desperation).
Many bulls surround me; strong bulls of Bashan encircle me. Roaring lions
that tear their prey open their mouths wide against me. I am poured out like
water, and all my bones are out of joint. My heart has turned to wax; it has
melted within me. My mouth is dried up like a potsherd, and my tongue sticks
to the roof of my mouth; you lay me in the dust of death. Dogs surround me,
a pack of villains encircles me; they pierce my hands and my feet. All my bones
are on display; people stare and gloat over me. They divide my clothes among
them and cast lots for my garment. (Psalm 22:12-18)
Can you sense the level of his desperation?
David knew that God did not want this kind of life for him,
so he went to Him for help.
But you, LORD, do not be far from me. You are my strength;
come quickly to help me. (Psalm 22:19)
In Psalm 23, we see David’s thankfulness for the presence of the Lord in his life.
He was wise enough to know that in order to live an enjoyable life,
he needed to maintain a close relationship with the One who knew him best,
and Who blessed him in ways that on one else could.
David knew that if he nourished his faith and trust in the Lord,
then there was no obstacle that could not be conquered.
He knew that connecting with the Lord would give him the capability
to connect with others and end his feeling of isolation and aloneness.
ACTION:
Maybe you have either isolated yourself
or have been isolated as a result of the actions of others.
If so, than you can relate to the agony and frustration David felt.
Trying to get out of your rut and connecting with others
in your own strength will just add to your frustrations.
Living in isolation and loneliness is not the Lord’s desire for you.
Developing healthy relationships with others
can be difficult when you feel alienated from the Lord.
You may feel disconnected from your Lord and Savior due to sin in your life.
Your relationship with Him will not improve if you do nothing.
Think about the things that have damaged your relationship with Him.
Confess them to the Lord and ask for His help in removing them.
Living in sin creates a wall between you and the Lord, which must be eliminated.
Pretending to be close to the Lord by saying and doing things
that appear to be religious, will not get rid of your guilt for a sinful lifestyle.
You and the Lord both know when you are living in sin;
you may try to justify your actions, but He condemns them.
Learn from the psalmist’s example and focus on connecting with the Lord.
Not only will it give you the sensation of connecting with someone,
but it will also pave the way for you to connect with others.
Pray,
“Heavenly Father, You know the rut I am in and You know how to
rescue me from this isolation and loneliness. I know that You want
what is best for me, so I pray that You would help me to focus more
on my relationship with You. When I have an intimate relationship
with You, I know that I will be able to connect with others more easily.
If sin in my life is my obstacle, then help me to defeat it, so that I can
have a closer relationship with You and tear down the walls between
others and me.”
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