Sowing the Seeds of the Gospel | Partner with us »

His Nearness in My Loneliness

April 26, 2011 - If you feel alone and desolate, Jesus understands. His nearness can bring you comfort, change and clarity.

by Anne Graham Lotz

Teenage suicide victims, alcoholics, drug addicts, divorcees, widows and widowers, singles, juvenile delinquents, prison inmates, cancer victims, and the eleven disciples of Jesus on the Thursday evening before the crucifixion—they all have something in common. What is it? It’s an overwhelming sense of loneliness.

In our overpopulated world, with people ...
walking on crowded sidewalks,
riding crowded buses,
living in crowded housing,
driving on crowded streets,
shopping in crowded malls,
vacationing in crowded resorts,
backpacking in crowded parks,
eating in crowded restaurants,
working in crowded offices,
dying in crowded hospitals ...

Many are desperately lonely. The dictionary defines loneliness as being without companionship; a feeling of desolation; depressed at being alone. When have you felt lonely—even in a crowd? Desolate? Without companionship to the point you were depressed at being alone?

Does your loneliness stem from the fact that you feel unknown? Misunderstood? Ignored? Then you need Jesus—and you need more of His nearness in your loneliness, because Jesus knows you. He understands you. And you have His undivided attention through the Person of the Holy Spirit.

HIS NEARNESS BRINGS COMFORT

Read John 16:5-16
In John 16:5-7, why did the disciples need comfort? What do you think they were feeling?

Comfort of His Person

What names does John 16:5-16 use in speaking of the Holy Spirit? What does this teach you about the Holy Spirit?

What do the following passages tell us about names in Scripture? Genesis 32:27-28; Matthew 1:21; Matthew 16:17-18.

List four names for the Holy Spirit from John 16:6-7 (KJV); John 16:13; and John 14:26.

Give the dictionary definition for the key word of each name, then write in your own words how it describes an aspect of the Holy Spirit’s work or character.

Assign each of the following verses to one of the names of the Holy Spirit, and apply each verse to your own life: 2 Timothy 3:16; 1 Peter 1:15-16; 2 Corinthians 1:3-4; James 1:5.

Which of His names is most meaningful to you? Why?

Comfort of His Presence

What promise did Jesus give His disciples in John 16:7 and John 14:16-17? How does His promise differ from the Old Testament experience of the Holy Spirit in Numbers 11:25; Judges 14:6; 1 Samuel 16:13 and Psalm 51:11?

From Acts 2:1-21, describe how Jesus kept His promise.

Although Pentecost, like the birth, death and resurrection of Jesus, was an historical event never to be repeated, when does the Holy Spirit come into a person’s life? See Acts 2:38 and Ephesians 1:13-14. Once you have received the Holy Spirit, is His presence temporary or permanent, according to these verses?

HIS NEARNESS BRINGS CHANGE

Compare Genesis 1:2 with Genesis 1:3-31. What role do you think the Holy Spirit had at Creation? Do you think His power is less today?

He Changes Me

From the following verses, how does the Holy Spirit bring about change in our lives? 2 Corinthians 3:18; Romans 7:6, 8:5-6; 1 Corinthians 2:12-13; Ephesians 6:17-18; Philippians 3:3; 1 Thessalonians 1:4-6; 2 Thessalonians 2:13; Titus 3:5; Jude 20; Revelation 2:29.

What command does Ephesians 4:29-31 give us in reference to the Holy Spirit? Explain this command in your own words. (If we only grieve for those we genuinely care about and love, what does this imply about the Holy Spirit’s relationship with every believer?)

What command does God give us in Ephesians 5:18? Give phrases from Ephesians 5:1-2, 10, 15, 17 and 20 that help us understand how to obey this command.

From Galatians 5:22-25 and Acts 4:31, what evidence of the Holy Spirit’s filling should others be able to see in our lives?

He Changes Others

How does the Holy Spirit change others, according to Jesus in John 16:8-11? Based on these verses, do you think guilt is a good or a bad thing?

The Holy Spirit will convict the world of guilt in regard to three things. What are they? Pray that the Holy Spirit would do this in the lives of the unsaved people on your prayer list.

If the Holy Spirit’s responsibility is to convict the world of guilt and to convince the world of truth, what would be the most effective way to bring about change in another person’s life?

From John 18:15-18 and John 18:25-27, describe the change in Peter’s life before he received the Spirit. From Acts 4:8-13, describe Peter’s life after he received the Spirit.

If God the Holy Spirit can transform Peter, do you think He can change your loved one?

HIS NEARNESS BRINGS CLARITY

Clarity to the Written Word

Apply John 16:13 to a person’s struggle to understand God’s Word.

According to Ephesians 1:17-19, what can you do to help someone who is struggling to understand God’s Word?

Clarity to the Living Word

Who is the subject of the Bible, according to Luke 24:26-27?

Without the Spirit’s clarity, how does the world view Jesus?

What is the Holy Spirit’s agenda, according to John 16:14-15? If you and I are filled with the Spirit, what should our agenda be?

16 Comments

varghese says 5.12.2011, 12:57 a.m.

Dear Becky, remember separation is not forever. Jesus will come and give you back your son which is what the Holy Bible says and it is the faith of our fathers.

Clayton says 5.8.2011, 01:51 a.m.

Raine > Reply.....Sorry for your loss. Try reading 'Heaven is for real' by Tony Burpo. It is very comforting and reassuring, especially for believers.

Regina543 says 4.30.2011, 3:40 p.m.

Reply to: Becky says 4.27.2011, 11:11 a.m. My son died in Iraq 4/30/2008 and this time of year is very hard through mother's day (the day he was buried) for me. Please pray that this overwhelming detachment and loneliness is lifted for just a bit. Bless you. ~Becky~ I want you to know I am praying the Lord Jesus Christ will give you His perfect peace that passes all understanding, and give you the strength that I know your son would want you to have to carry on. God Bless you Becky. ((HUGS)) also to anyone else who is going through a loss.

mc says 4.30.2011, 01:16 a.m.

To God be the Glory! His faithfulness keeps me standing right now, and His mercy continue to be my hiding place, His daily embrace is my refuge. Knowing that He will never leave me is more than enough reason for me to run the race of life. I love you and I thank You for who You are in my life. My journey is a lot sweeter now than ever all because of You Jesus!

lilybeth says 4.28.2011, 02:07 a.m.

Loneliness attacking me most of the time. When i think of my Father who died of Cancer, of my husband in a far away place, of my Children whom i love so much but cannot understand me as a mother. They have been in their own ways doing what they want to do not considering Gods way and their parents. Now I'm alone only hoping and praying that God will change our destiny to make us whole again, to release and deliver my children from stubbornness. I believe God can Make a miracle and He is my Comfort.

Ellie says 4.27.2011, 10:40 p.m.

Thank you for this amazing article. The BGEA always ministers to me. God Bless you.

Carolyn says 4.27.2011, 4:21 p.m.

I have be so blessed and thankful to God with a miracle cure from Cancer in 2007 and feel terrible that I am so depressed and I should be happy in my late years, but I am one of those lonely people and have been fighting depression since the death of my mother. I have a husband, but he is always at work and does not leave much time to fill the lonely situation I feel. Since my mother's death I have just become a person that does not keep up my house work or cook anymore. I do the things I enjoy like piano and chatting with friends on the computer and I pray that God will walk by my side and help me get over the death of my mother who was so dear to me and my best friend and I know if she were still alive I would not have these lonely feelings. I need to be a more productive person and not let depression keep me from doing the normal things I should be doing. Everything is an effort and that is what depression will finally do to you when you have it for so long and I pray that God will bring me out of depression and become a more productive person. I have too much to be thankful for and should not be a depressed person or lonely.

Bridget says 4.27.2011, 3:46 p.m.

I find Matthew 6:25-34 (NJB) so comforting when I'm facing concerns over many things. In this reading, Jesus puts everything into perspective when He tells us to put God first and all that is REALLY important will be given to us.

Minnie says 4.27.2011, 11:34 a.m.

Lord Jesus, help us Lord to receive your Holy Spirit will. I pray that you will send leaders together with wise and Godly council. Men and women who have a heart for the things of our God in Heaven. To seek your purpose for us. For thy will be done. Amen.

LOUISE says 4.27.2011, 11:23 a.m.

I JUST WANT TO THANK OUR HEAVENLY FATHER GOD. :) <3 IN JESUS WONDERFUL NAME AND TELL FATHER I LOVE HIM. THANK YOU JESUS THAT YOU DIED TO SAVE ME AND ALL FATHER'S CHILDREN. THANK YOU FATHER FOR SENDING JESUS. FORGIVE YOUR PEOPLE, YOUR CHILDREN FATHER IN JESUS' NAME FOR WHAT THEY HAVE DONE. IN JESUS' NAME THANK YOU FOR FORGIVING ME FATHER AND TURNING ME FROM MY WICKED WAYS AND ALL THAT YOU HAVE DONE AND ARE DOING UNTIL YOUR WORK IS FINISHED. <3 HELP ME FATHER AND ALL YOUR CHILDREN TO BE MIGHTY FOR OUR FATHER BY THE POWER OF HIS MIGHT. <3 AND JESUS OUr FATHER IN HEAVEN'S SON. <3 THANK YOU MY BROTHER AND PLEASE THANK OUR FATHER UNTIL I SEE HIM. I LOVE YOU BOTH IN JESUS LOVING AND KIND NAME. <3 PRAISE OUR LORD OUR FATHER AND OUR BROTHER JESUS. <3 :)

Becky says 4.27.2011, 11:11 a.m.

My son died in Iraq 4/30/2008 and this time of year is very hard through mother's day (the day he was buried) for me. Please pray that this overwhelming detachment and loneliness is lifted for just a bit. Bless you.

Sharon says 4.27.2011, 02:54 a.m.

Thank you for this! The Lord has certainly shown me this today for a reason.

James says 4.27.2011, 00:45 a.m.

Loneliness is a shadow of uncomfortable feeling in our lives! If we couldn't manage to be happy then, our daily always in crisis and danger. But, if we are able to walk with Jesus Christ our Lord, then, he'll provide us the right things, possible ways, etc. Thanks.

Vicki says 4.26.2011, 10:40 p.m.

Thank you for this meaningful and helpful bible study. It helped me tremendously. I would like to add that you don't have to be a prison inmate, single, divorcee, cancer victim, or drug addict to feel alone and desperate. In my experience, married people, wealthy, successful, popular, beautiful, and famous people feel lonely and desolate as well. Just seeing the news this week I am reminded of how one of the most beautiful, wealthy, and famous women in the world, Princess Diana was so sad and lonely that she had affairs with other men while she was married as described her lover this week on tv. I think your bible study title should reach out to all people, not just those that we traditionally think as "down and out."

Raine says 4.26.2011, 9:46 p.m.

My mother died and I've been terribly depressed, it's been three years this May. I can't seem to get past her death. She is in Heaven so I know I'll see her again - but she was my best friend here on earth. I need prayer.

Ev says 4.26.2011, 8:02 p.m.

Please pray for my son, he's in college. He's really burnt out from his difficult accounting classes. He's suffering from depression and anger and so confused and sad. Pray for his soul, his energy, his faith. He hasn't been saved, but agnostic. He feels hopeless. Put angels in his path to guide him to God and ease his anger, hopelessness and despair. Heal him from within and put God in his heart.