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Christian Attitudes
No.17.
Loneliness.
pp. 10 - 12
"I watch, and am as a sparrow alone upon the housetop" (Psa. 102: 7).
Introduction
Loneliness might be described as the condition of being alone. As a person becomes
older, friends move to other districts, or pass away, and so an old person may feel
isolated and friendless. Depression and despondency may follow. On the other hand, a
person may be surrounded by many people and yet feel lonely. One may take a trip to
London and stand at one of the busy junctions, such as the corner near the Bank of
England, and see so many people rushing hither and thither, but they are all strangers and
you are not recognized or noticed. "I watch and am as a sparrow alone upon the
housetop." There is a feeling of loneliness if one is deserted by one's friends, as is
indicated by the Psalmist when he wrote "Yea, mine own familiar friend, in whom I
trusted, which did eat of my bread, hath lifted up his heel against me" (Psa. 41: 9), and
these words apply also to the Lord Himself, when He was betrayed.
The Lord spoke of the sparrow as an example to show His love and care for all,
including the lonely, and to give His assurance of the provision He makes for each one.
"Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is forgotten before
God? But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are
of more value than many sparrows" (Luke 12: 6, 7. See also Matt. 10: 29-31).
When we feel neglected and like a sparrow alone upon the housetop, let us remember
that God is with us and He has not forgotten us. As he provides for the sparrow, He will
provide for us. Remember, too, the promises made to Moses and Joshua, "He will not
fail thee, neither forsake thee: fear not, neither be dismayed" (Deut. 31: 8; Josh. 1: 9;
Heb. 13: 5). Christ did not forsake His disciples but made provision for them when
He had to leave them. He sent the Holy Spirit to be their Comforter and guide them
(John 14: 16-18).
Elijah
The servants of the Lord frequently had experiences of loneliness. The O.T. prophets
were sent with messages from the Lord, often with warnings and admonitions, and their
task made them sometimes unpopular, and often lonely men. Elijah is an excellent
example.
At first we read of the unpopular message "there shall not be dew nor rain these
(three) years" (I Kings 17: 1). He ran away to hide by the brook Cherith. Later he went
to Zarephath. Read the full story in chapters 17: and 18: