Thursday, March 3, 2022

Reflection - Number Our Days - Loneliness

Source (book): "Teach Us to Number Our Days", Chapter 61, "Loneliness", Page 285.
By David Roper, Pastor, and regular and popular writer for Our Daily Bread.


He wants not friends that hath Thy love.
PHOTO: He wants not friends that hath Thy love.
- Richard Baxter

Psalm 142 is a "maskil," a song to make us wise, as the title "a maskil of David" suggests. David wrote this psalm while on the run from Saul, who was trying to kill him. When King Achish of Gath refused to help David, he fled to a cave near Adullam, a Canaanite city. Separated from family and friends, lost and unremembered, he blurted out his lament (wailing):

Look to my right and see;
no one is concerned for me;
I have no refuge;
no one cares for my life.
(Psalm 142:4)

Therapists tell us that we all need someone to care about us. As he wallowed (lay) in introspection (soul-searching) and lonely solitude, David felt that no one cared for him.

David is not alone in his loneliness, of course; in his psalm we see our own loneliness. Loneliness is a human need that no number of friends can fill - an innate (inherent) loneliness that is in reality a spiritual hunger, a divine restlessness, the cry of the heart for God's love. Only when we know deep down in our hearts that we are God's beloved can we see our loneliness for what it is: Our hearts are restless for the love of God.

We cannot expect that we will never again feel loneliness in this life, but God's grace starts us on the way. His love assuages (ease) our isolation and feelings of abandonment.

It's significant to me that when David made his lonely cry, God gave David no earthly friends - only himself. As David said, "It is you [alone] who know my way." (Psalm 142:3) Only God knew where David was, only God cared.

When we are stripped of every human friend, we find ourselves enfolded in the love of God. As Richard Baxter said, "He wants not friends that hath Thy love." What a friend we have in Jesus!

And then, knowing that God is our friend, though we may still want earthly friends, we do not crave them. We can be a friend rather that need one. Instead of leaning on others, others can lean on us. "Then the righteous will gather about me," David said, "because of your goodness to me." (Psalm 142:7)

I prayed for friends, and then I lost awhile
All sense of nearness, human and divine;
The love I leaned on failed and pierced my heart;
The hands I clung to loosed themselves from mine;
But while I swayed, weak, trembling, and alone
The everlasting arms upheld my own.

I thank Thee, Lord. Thou wert too wise to heed
My feeble prayers, and answer as I sought,
Since these rich gifts Thy bounty has bestowed
Have brought me more than I had asked or thought.
Giver of good, so answer each request
With Thine own giving, better than my best.

- Annie Flint Johnson
Artwork by Hans Thoma – Einsamkeit (1896) - Loneliness (1896)
Picture posted by Hanna G Sigurðardóttir on 11June 2015 at 13:59 


He wants not friends that hath Thy love.
- Richard Baxter


He wants not friends that hath Thy love. - Richard Baxter
PHOTO: He wants not friends that hath Thy love. - Richard Baxter
Picture posted by AJs Palette

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj77VLFaNQBlFNbh0yv0xgJyrTswOZByRHXZ2kO-musUjKUchmKsyletghup52zdnONtExKZdq1Ti9ZHCq3-po0fgqGVbNGWoSkBa7Y-Aqpj9wknepNHtObxu6nM_Y9gRcovkEnVlYogt_zOhBGT-gxQq0S24DDSCn049cnsgBovwHoBUXkIoA1sbPE=s705
https://i.pinimg.com/564x/ce/0e/c0/ce0ec0ddd60bbc29cee18b43e2062c71.jpg
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/AY5xQbjeHG9TuG4bR7EHFa6HJHserUM42N9gR2dmZF4Pnhz8IgmNOniildIUoztQjrkGHNuCEMXflY4BaNR7_dI/


Psalm 142 is a "maskil," a song to make us wise, as the title "a maskil of David" suggests. [322] David wrote this psalm while on the run from Saul, who was trying to kill him. When King Achish of Gath refused to help David, he fled to a cave near Adullam, a Canaanite city. Separated from family and friends, lost and unremembered, he blurted out his lament (wailing):

Look to my right and see;
no one is concerned for me;
I have no refuge;
no one cares for my life.
(Psalm 142:4) [323]


Psalm 142 is a 'maskil,' a song to make us wise, as the title a maskil of David suggests.
PHOTO: Psalm 142 is a "maskil," a song to make us wise, as the title "a maskil of David" suggests. David wrote this psalm while on the run from Saul, who was trying to kill him. When King Achish of Gath refused to help David, he fled to a cave near Adullam, a Canaanite city. Separated from family and friends, lost and unremembered, he blurted out his lament (wailing):
Picture posted by Joyful Abundant Life
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjfoDvDQjVVXWmYoVR1JtqWe4RSGwQa-LmU2xKbByn2xuTjOn-JbRMQhofC45DfEOPEL3Pac-86x-TzcM-WMRNJ9dMYR1zvlbKjo8f-iR2edcloDffgYmTOpJOrPIKTVntjJody1RJ7itffeUGKXGiMvews_vn81AQDyWnXVIzbEEleGfpvgW1Dmhy8=s1001
https://www.joyfulabundantlife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/No-Man-Cared.png
https://www.joyfulabundantlife.com/no-man-cared-for-my-soul-but-jesus-does/



Therapists tell us that we all need someone to care about us. As he wallowed (lay) in introspection (soul-searching) and lonely solitude, David felt that no one cared for him.

David is not alone in his loneliness, of course; in his psalm we see our own loneliness. Loneliness is a human need that no number of friends can fill - an innate (inherent) loneliness that is in reality a spiritual hunger, a divine restlessness, the cry of the heart for God's love. Only when we know deep down in our hearts that we are God's beloved can we see our loneliness for what it is: Our hearts are restless for the love of God.


David is not alone in his loneliness, of course; in his psalm we see our own loneliness.
PHOTO: David is not alone in his loneliness, of course; in his psalm we see our own loneliness. Loneliness is a human need that no number of friends can fill - an innate (inherent) loneliness that is in reality a spiritual hunger, a divine restlessness, the cry of the heart for God's love. Only when we know deep down in our hearts that we are God's beloved can we see our loneliness for what it is: Our hearts are restless for the love of God.
Picture posted by Picsart avatar

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjLkzTtLxwVCVtDJUOvapLRRj7fqYuXaLvBTNI940bhMHsIW1HaRYieFt3J2CgAneHujkghlxzm22IvpysAAoWngujy5LG_nIlthzWTx8OUHSPGO7YcBWTiFTzkGvACvYk6m6AnxADomS8FMW-XJzXpsMYCZHV7lnQzpRLQLS-VLokmTYpwBvBqWVg5=s846
https://i.pinimg.com/564x/fb/6f/a3/fb6fa39a844f4eb70517cdf1f7d3da70.jpg
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/37647346871438026/



We cannot expect that we will never again feel loneliness in this life, but God's grace starts us on the way. His love assuages (ease) our isolation and feelings of abandonment.

It's significant to me that when David made his lonely cry, God gave David no earthly friends - only himself. As David said, "It is you [alone] who know my way." (Psalm 142:3) [324] Only God knew where David was, only God cared.


We cannot expect that we will never again feel loneliness in this life, but God's grace starts us on the way.
PHOTO: We cannot expect that we will never again feel loneliness in this life, but God's grace starts us on the way. His love assuages (ease) our isolation and feelings of abandonment. Only God knew where we are, only God cared.
Picture posted by @_xgwilwileth

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEioOvSUabyLWpquoz0lGAUwHe37MgzQVlbVk1EX9SLXcx2x8tq4vSVXXhxUqlIThn6vKLow3rajfc0ihmST2mKtxsSaL2I6Q0hXdvvyU4gC6BXJ7nNqKe06I_pgh5F7yJcRf316CfWm7ihqvW2zOUqSpe4ofHUTMO3hzHFT20O6_taVel1pBE1X450M=s2592
https://cdn131.picsart.com/239459615063201.jpg
https://picsart.com/i/image-me-and-my-239459615063201



When we are stripped of every human friend, we find ourselves enfolded in the love of God. As Richard Baxter said, "He wants not friends that hath Thy love." What a friend we have in Jesus!

And then, knowing that God is our friend, though we may still want earthly friends, we do not crave them. We can be a friend rather that need one. Instead of leaning on others, others can lean on us. "Then the righteous will gather about me," David said, "because of your goodness to me." (Psalm 142:7) [325]


When we are stripped of every human friend, we find ourselves enfolded in the love of God.
PHOTO: When we are stripped of every human friend, we find ourselves enfolded in the love of God. And then, knowing that God is our friend, though we may still want earthly friends, we do not crave them. We can be a friend rather that need one. Instead of leaning on others, others can lean on us.
Picture posted by Teresa Lewis

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh28T20laSeQK-C5Az33Yvi3m3EARIDBJRGiNXUFIpagr6_Cl2Nw7x_6u-u0oJiTJQBpYgeOSBOy3NyN6WCM8DN5BFRw_fmqSYfWkY3pN6dnN7-2dwc8lIamJ6ix1TPgq9Rd7tZ9kOMa41wE0va4dMx681jnNhv0e8ds0fJHQRRJwX6IBdhojIzPf5I=s793
https://i.pinimg.com/564x/17/33/b3/1733b33fc02e5df64d218f3b48b07a15.jpg
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/14003448831760348/



I prayed for friends, and then I lost awhile
All sense of nearness, human and divine;
The love I leaned on failed and pierced my heart;
The hands I clung to loosed themselves from mine;
But while I swayed, weak, trembling, and alone
The everlasting arms upheld my own.


I prayed for friends, and then I lost awhile
PHOTO: I prayed for friends, and then I lost awhile
All sense of nearness, human and divine;
The love I leaned on failed and pierced my heart;
The hands I clung to loosed themselves from mine;
But while I swayed, weak, trembling, and alone
The everlasting arms upheld my own.
Picture posted by Cindy Burmeister

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhDi_A-RpEIWzJr5b_tOUdkiben1uaYHEIrrQyzhyc_1lxqO1iJkpGJEFtEh3F_xo0DbPuyWb4p6N9JXXZ0b_WxvIU-D94diQ9Z3-O_QL_OkAeLGjDHTpyl41Ip6yrkHVkQbiwS1r2_7wtg31ToxYgSnbMw-bUz8TL4edKOaYMHWNdT-z9N5fdux08H=s750
https://i.pinimg.com/564x/b7/54/c7/b754c746c16108ab482a2dbf1359bf86.jpg
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/9429480454115344/


I thank Thee, Lord. Thou wert too wise to heed
My feeble prayers, and answer as I sought,
Since these rich gifts Thy bounty has bestowed
Have brought me more than I had asked or thought.
Giver of good, so answer each request
With Thine own giving, better than my best.

- Annie Flint Johnson


I thank Thee, Lord.
PHOTO: I thank Thee, Lord. Thou wert too wise to heed
My feeble prayers, and answer as I sought,
Since these rich gifts Thy bounty has bestowed
Have brought me more than I had asked or thought.
Giver of good, so answer each request
With Thine own giving, better than my best.
- Annie Flint Johnson
Picture posted by Hennie Smit

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiZamRTsrvpGHUic0HX-3TqEEMdEkPRUMfmjnVkvkXFSy4y_kTLK66ExNIhQM1QzusxUBKq_SImginuxxZyXJpGEZ7hhxj-QuRXwe0-8yH-pEbAJjbI5Z1NK_J-bVlizwOp0_B-0woYRLoIZdyCTO6VPc8Dy7WyXsBl-PZG4VZFD6abeHmghv7fL2C8=s491
https://i.pinimg.com/originals/4b/e6/04/4be60489667925f5aab072783a88a09e.jpg
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/9429480461553035/



Dear Lord
PHOTO: "Dear Lord, We learn from therapists that we all need someone to care about us.

David wrote Psalm 142 while on the run from Saul, who was trying to kill him. When King Achish of Gath refused to help David, he fled to a cave near Adullam, a Canaanite city. Separated from family and friends, lost and unremembered, he blurted out his lament. As he wallowed in introspection and lonely solitude, David felt that no one cared for him.

Lord, David is not alone in his loneliness. We all need someone to care about us. Our loneliness is a human need that no number of friends can fill - an innate loneliness that is in reality a spiritual hunger, a divine restlessness, the cry of the heart for Your love. Only when we know deep down in our hearts that we are Your beloved can we see our loneliness for what it is: Our hearts are restless for Your love.

We cannot expect that we will never again feel loneliness in this life, May your grace starts us on the way. May Your love assuages our isolation and feelings of abandonment.

Lord, no number of earthly friends can fill our needs. It is you alone who know our way. Only You know where we are, only You cared.

Knowing that You are our friend, we may still want earthly friends. May we do not crave for them. May we be a friend rather that need one. Instead of leaning on others, others can lean on us. We pray that then the righteous will gather about us because of Your goodness to us.

Through Lord Jesus Christ we pray. Amen!
"
Picture posted by Hennie Smit
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjRtDZdzuD6x8eE-huEPbPFmQotjmFmiP4aR3Zm3loxvuJ7UEugy9oX5FUYGXQ4zeGhs93YRi8V7ek1zi0cnip6Vc01Gae2EyZ6V_A2HBjTCzPupZdtsFG9ZsabugadmfKGkfPFvvjNwT4B96m7NDAefChQBbk6RHiNf_r51ExSvWwrB8HzSRuBmwge=s700
https://i.pinimg.com/originals/4a/c0/8e/4ac08e6441ffdbe006c73aa0ec29afef.jpg
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/AaB9TjeOvHS5cO4q8k3P8oBndozv7z6BCb47UN2N4XGYchbdQJook_c/


Reflection - Number Our Days - Loneliness
Source (book): "Teach Us to Number Our Days", Chapter 61, "Loneliness", Page 285.
By David Roper, Pastor, and regular and popular writer for Our Daily Bread.




"Faithful to the end", A Preacher's Exposition of 2 Timothy, @ 2014 by Robert M. Solomon

'Faithful to the end', A Preacher's Exposition of 2 Timothy, @ 2014 by Robert M. Solomon<br>
Reflection - Faithful to the end (Links)
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2017/06/reflection-faithful-to-end-links.html


"Finding rest for the soul" Responding to Jesus' Invitation in Matthew 11:28-29, ©
2016 by Robert M. Solomon

Reflection - Finding rest for the soul (Links)
Reflection - Finding rest for the soul (Links)
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2018/10/reflection-finding-rest-for-soul-links.html


"God in Pursuit" Lessons from the Book of Jonah, ©
2016 by Robert M. Solomon

'Reflection - God in Pursuit (Links) - PART I-III, posted on Saturday, 10 August 2019
Reflection - God in Pursuit (Links) - PART I-III, posted on Saturday, 10 August 2019
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2019/08/reflection-god-in-pursuit-links-part-i.html


"God in Pursuit" Lessons from the Book of Jonah, ©
2016 by Robert M. Solomon

'Reflection - God in Pursuit (Links) - PART IV, posted on Saturday, 10 August 2019
Reflection - God in Pursuit (Links) - PART IV, posted on Saturday, 10 August 2019
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2019/08/reflection-god-in-pursuit-links-part-iv.html
 


"Songs of Christmas", The Stories and Significance of 20 Well-Loved Carols, ©
2018 by Robert M. Solomon

Reflection - Songs of Christmas (Links), posted on Friday, 24 April 2020
Reflection - Songs of Christmas (Links), posted on Friday, 24 April 2020

https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2020/04/reflection-songs-of-christmas-links.html
 

"Growing Old Gracefully", Following Jesus to the End, © 2019 by Robert M. Solomon

Reflection - Growing Old Gracefully, Part I - III (Links), posted on Wednesday, 09 December 2020
Reflection - Growing Old Gracefully, Part I - III (Links), posted on Wednesday, 09 December 2020
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2020/12/reflection-growing-old-gracefully-part.html
 

Reflection - Growing Old Gracefully, Part IV - V (Links), posted on Thursday, 22 April 2021
Reflection - Growing Old Gracefully, Part IV - V (Links), posted on Thursday, 22 April 2021
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2020/12/reflection-growing-old-gracefully-part_9.html
 

"Teach Us to Number Our Days", © 2008 by David Roper

Reflection - Number Our Days, Chapter 1 - 40 (Links), posted on Tuesday, 16 November 2021
Reflection - Number Our Days, Chapter 1 - 40 (Links), posted on Tuesday, 16 November 2021
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2021/11/reflection-number-our-days-chapter-1-40.html
 


Reference
[1] From "Teach Us to Number Our Days", Copyright © 2008 by David Roper, ISBN 978-981-11-7184-0, Chapter 61, "Loneliness", Page 285-287.

[322] The word maskil carries the idea of truth that leads us to act wisely. The root noun sekel is often used for "success," which gives us some idea of what it means to be "successful."

[323] Psalm 142:4

[324] Psalm 142:3

[325] Psalm 142:7


Links


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