One of the enemy’s favourite traps for Christians is tempting us to believe a lie. For example…“God is not really good.” “I can sin and get away with it.” “God doesn’t love me.” But one of his most discouraging lies is, “You are all alone.” At times, you will have to stand alone for God. But the truth is that, if you know Jesus as your Saviour, you are not alone. Even when friends say goodbye and family fails you, you have a Friend who is closer than a brother (Proverbs 18:24).
Here are 3 Scriptural examples of men and women who were not alone in their hour of need.
In her greatest trial, Esther was not alone.
As a beautiful Jewish orphan, Esther was chosen to be queen of Persia. In the palace, she was separated from her people, her culture, and her religion. But she never forgot who she was. When the Jewish people were threatened with genocide, her uncle sent word that she must go before the king. After three days of fasting and prayer, Esther walked into king Xerxes’ throne room alone. But God was with her, and, through her courage, the entire Jewish nation was rescued from death. Today, her name is recorded in the Hebrews 11 “Hall of Faith.”
In his greatest sacrifice, Stephen was not alone.
In the early Church, Stephen was a Jewish deacon. Gifted by God as an evangelist, he boldly proclaimed the gospel of Jesus Christ. (In our prison ministries, we, too, share the good news that Jesus saves.) Yet his words stirred up the unbelieving Jews to anger. They falsely accused him before their religious council, and he responded by preaching his most powerful sermon. As Stephen stood alone before crowds of angry mockers, he looked up into Heaven and said, “Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God.” (Acts 7:56)
Usually, we read of Jesus “sitting” on the right hand of God. Why was Jesus standing? Perhaps he stood to honour the first martyr for His Name. In a few minutes, that angry crowd would drag Stephen outside the city and stone him to death. Or maybe Jesus stood because, in just a few moments, He would place a crown on the brow of a man whose name meant “crown.” When Stephen stood alone before that crowd, his Saviour stood in heaven, waiting to welcome him Home.
In His darkest hour, Jesus was not alone.
Hours before His earth-shattering sacrifice, Jesus knelt in a quiet garden on the Mount of Olives. He poured out his soul in grief for the bitter cup He would soon drink. After hours in prayer, the soldiers arrived to arrest Him. His disciples fled the scene, terrified. But Jesus had already told them, “Behold, the hour cometh, yea, is now come, that ye shall be scattered…and shall leave me alone: and yet I am not alone, because the Father is with me.” (John 16:32) God the Father did not leave Jesus alone in His darkest hour. He was there to strengthen and help His Son.
These are just a few examples of men and women who could have felt all alone. But, because they had a personal relationship with God, they were never alone. (Contact us at our prison ministries to learn how you can have a personal relationship with God.) If you know Jesus as your Saviour, He has promised, “…I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.” (Hebrews 13:5b-6)
The truth is that you are not alone. Remember that God is always with you, and be encouraged by His presence!
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