The second stanza in the song Where No One Stands Alone reads as follows: Like a king I may live in a palace so tall, with great riches to call my own; But I don’t know a thing in this whole wide world that’s worse than being alone. Ain’t that the truth?! No matter how much money we have, if we are all alone, we are poor and sad because money cannot buy happiness. On top of that, imagine going through tough times in life all alone – it’s hard to imagine anything worse than that. On the other hand, if we have problems yet someone is by our side to hold our hand and provide support we are comforted and know we can get through it.
One of the most well-known Christian illustrations is Footprints in the Sand. You know, the one where the guy challenges God’s goodness by accusing Him of deserting him when he goes through tough times, and he tells God there was only one set of footprints in the sand. God responds, “Those were MY footprints – that’s when I carried you”. That’s not just a cute story – it is a biblical truth. God never forsakes or deserts His children – especially in tough times. God created us and He loves us as His children. Why would we ever think He would desert us in difficult times? It’s not in God the Father’s loving character to leave His children alone.
Jesus could’ve left us all alone in our sinful plight of condemnation but His love for us moved Him to the cross. In John 15:13 Jesus says, “Greater love has no one than this, that He lay down his life for his friends”. We have no friend with greater loyalty than Jesus. I like the saying: A real friend will be with you when he would rather be anywhere else. That’s Jesus. Then, to leave no doubt of His love, God sends the Holy Spirit to live in us from here to heaven.
The one place no one wants to be alone is in death. Imagine dying and having zero confidence or assurance of God being with you as you enter the other side! Christians on their deathbed know they are NEVER ALONE. That’s where God really shines. I have witnessed the confident look in the eyes of dying Christians many times over the years. They know they are not alone and they know into whose arms they are falling – safe in the arms of Jesus.
Read Psalm 23:1-6 and Psalm 73:21-28. Then listen to Not Alone by Red.
Psalm 23
A psalm of David.
The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.
He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,
he refreshes my soul.
He guides me along the right paths
for his name’s sake.
Even though I walk
through the darkest valley,
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
Surely your goodness and love will follow me
all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord
forever.
Psalm 73:21-28
When my heart was grieved
and my spirit embittered,
I was senseless and ignorant;
I was a brute beast before you.
Yet I am always with you;
you hold me by my right hand.
You guide me with your counsel,
and afterward you will take me into glory.
Whom have I in heaven but you?
And earth has nothing I desire besides you.
My flesh and my heart may fail,
but God is the strength of my heart
and my portion forever.
Those who are far from you will perish;
you destroy all who are unfaithful to you.
But as for me, it is good to be near God.
I have made the Sovereign Lord my refuge;
I will tell of all your deeds.
