We read in Genesis 1 that God created man in His image and likeness (26). In the following chapter, we are told that as God sat back to take in all that He created, He expressed this observation: “It is not good that man should be alone...” (2:18), and so He created Eve to be Adam’s companion, encouraging them both to ‘go forth and multiply’ (1:28).

Please make note that it was God’s assessment that we needed people in our lives, for a host of reasons. Even Jesus, when He first started sending out His disciples to preach the gospel...He sent them out in two’s (Luke 10:1). When Jesus fed the 5000+ on that day He multiplied the fishes and loaves of bread, He instructed for the people to sit in groups of 50 (Luke 9:14). I’ve often wondered if that was a template for the ideal size for a ‘church fellowship’, but that’s a discussion for another day.

So now having made that case that God did not intend for us to be ‘lone rangers’, that is not to say that when it comes to your personal walk of faith as you learn to abide in Jesus... that you won’t experience seasons where you feel like you are ‘going it alone’. And perhaps I should place the emphasis on the point that one might ‘feel’...as if they are alone.

The apostle Paul had those seasons where he felt abandoned, even writing to Timothy how “No one stood with me, but all forsook me.” (2 Tim. 4:16). Then, there was of course the 5-6 years that he spent imprisoned or under house arrest. That can sure make one feel isolated and alone (not that I am speaking from personal experience).

As I pointed out in yesterday’s message, abiding in/with Jesus does not exempt us from going through seasons where we are tested and refined as the Spirit continues to conform us to the image of Jesus (Rom. 8:29; 1 Pet. 4:12). And we know that God will allow our enemy, the devil, to be that ‘tester’. We learn that from Job 1, do we not? In fact, it’s Paul who reminds us that we are ‘not ignorant of Satan’s schemes’ (2 Cor. 2:11) and that we need to make use of the ‘armor’ that God has provided for us in order to ‘stand against the devil’s schemes’ (Eph. 6:10-14).

So how are we to respond when we go through those seasons where you do feel like you are in the minority, or that ‘no one is standing with you’? Jesus did warn us about how this ‘pathway’ that leads to life is “narrow, and only a few find it” (Matt. 7:13-14). But I think we can learn some valuable tips from Paul who has learned a few things on his own that he was happy to pass on to Timothy, where I happened to be reading the other morning; and it was one of those ‘stop here and take notes’ ...kind of study that I found myself immersed in.

I’m not sure exactly what the young pastor was going through at the time Paul wrote to offer words of instruction and encouragement to him, but having pastored a few years myself, I can pretty well imagine. Paul closed out his first letter to Timothy pointing out how various temptations would cause people to ‘stray from the faith...and pierce themselves with many sorrows’ (1 Tim. 6:10). I found that to be a significant reminder that much of the ‘suffering’ the befalls many of God’s children is ‘self-inflicted’ (Hosea 4:6; Luke 13:3,5; John 5:14; Gal. 6:7-8). He then closes out that letter in chapter 6 with final words of warning to avoid those who get entangled with ‘profane and idle babblings and contradictions’ that can also cause some to ‘stray from the faith’. Friends...do you get the impression that it’s possible for people who profess to be followers of Jesus...to ‘stray from the faith’? That is not a good thing.

Then, Timothy receives a second letter from Paul, and he opens up reminding him of his early days of coming to the faith, giving credit to Timothy’s mother and grandmother (2 Tim. 1:3-5). But it’s the advice (command) he gives Timothy in the next verse that caught my attention: “Therefore I remind you to ‘stir up’ the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands.”(7). Another translation reads to ‘fan the flames’.

May I point out the obvious...that Paul didn’t advise Timothy to go to some public singing or ‘camp meeting’ and join in with ‘crowds’ to find encouragement? Maybe there were little if any strong believers for him to join in with, but that does not mean one can’t find personal ‘revival’ themselves. I think I may be speaking to more ‘mature’ believers at this time who need to hear this, but there comes a time when we have to feed ourselves, and not look to others, other than God Himself...to encourage us in the faith. And perhaps it is only brief and certain times that we need to heed this counsel. Sometimes...it will just be you and God, and that should not be viewed as some ‘consolation prize’ either.

Look what Paul then reminds Timothy of in vs. 7 – “God did not give us a spirit of fear, but of power (miraculous kind of power) and of love (God’s agape kind of love that never fails) and this all leads to having a ‘sound mind’.” In other words, we have everything we need to overcome and be fruitful and victorious (2 Peter 1:3). Now, fast-forward to the close of Paul’s second letter where he mentions again how ‘no one stood with him’ (4:16)...”BUT... the Lord stood with me and strengthened me so that the message might be preached fully through him so that all the Gentiles might hear...” (17). And did you catch the tail end of that verse –“Also I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion”? I hope you know he was not speaking of some circus animal! (1 Pet. 5:8).

That reminded me of a time when David was about to take on the biggest giant of his young life, and what did he do? He rehearsed the times God had previously delivered him from the ‘lion and bear’ (1 Sam. 17:34-37). Later in his life, he would be faced with another serious test of feeling alone and abandoned when the wives and families of him and his men were taken captive. David was ‘greatly distressed’ (1 Sam. 30:1-6)...and we read where “he encouraged himself and found strength in the Lord” (6). And God showed up in a big way!

Again, I don’t know who this message is speaking to today, but God does; and I hope it can be a gentle reminder that during those seasons when you feel like you are all alone, remember what God reminded Elijah of when he was having a pity party in a cave, feeling like he was the only one left: “I’ve got 7000 others who have not bowed to Baal.”

You are not alone...take some time and ‘stir up that gift within you’. God will show up.