Read Psalm 142:1-7. 1With my voice I cry out to the Lord; with my voice I plead for mercy to the Lord. 2I pour out my complaint before him; I tell my trouble before him. 3When my spirit faints within me, you know my way! In the path where I walk they have hidden a trap for me. 4Look to the right and see: there is none who takes notice of me; no refuge remains to me; no one cares for my soul. 5I cry to you, O Lord; I say, “You are my refuge, my portion in the land of the living.” 6Attend to my cry, for I am brought very low! Deliver me from my persecutors, for they are too strong for me! 7Bring me out of prison, that I may give thanks to your name! The righteous will surround me, for you will deal bountifully with me.
David wrote these words while in a cave hiding from Saul. He expresses what we all have so often felt – no one cares for my soul. David’s only hope is God, no one else takes notice of him. No one else listens to his complaint. In fact, his persecutors are overwhelming him…again.
Loneliness and self-pity become despair when we keep silent. The only way forward is to make our inner thoughts known to Christ. Cry. Pour out. Tell. Say. God knows the way. God IS the way. The way is Christ in us, the hope of glory. Let him be your refuge and portion in every season, especially in the lonely season.
When David cried out from the cave God heard his cry and sent friends and family to join him in his literal cave of despair (1 Samuel 22). Yes, Christ in us is all hope, God’s Spirit with us is our refuge and our portion, but God has also given us Christ with skin on in the church. Like David, will you let God use his people to move your heart from no one cares for my soul to the righteous will surround me, for you will deal bountifully with me?
To live is Christ means fighting loneliness with faith. Forward looking faith. David saw ahead to a day when he was surrounded by the righteous. Is that day this Sunday? Hopefully. And if not it is not far off.
You: Have you ever felt, or are you feeling now, like no one cares about you?
You in Christ: How does our union with Christ fulfill David’s words – “you deal bountifully with me?”
Christ in you: How can you surround yourself with the righteous who care for you? Go to church? Join a small group?
Pray: Jesus, sometimes it feels like you’re the only one who cares for me. Help me to see that part of your care for me is giving me your people to surround me. Give me courage to make my heart known to others. Help me to receive their kindness and grace. Amen.
To Live is Christ 