2 TIMOTHY 4:9-13 WE NEED NEVER BE ALONE

9 Do your best to come to me quickly, 10 for Demas, because he loved this world, has deserted me and has gone to Thessalonica. Crescens has gone to Galatia, and Titus to Dalmatia. 11 Only Luke is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, because he is helpful to me in my ministry. 12 I sent Tychicus to Ephesus. 13 When you come, bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas, and my scrolls, especially the parchments.

Even saints can be lonely. As much as we would like our earthly relationships to be for a lifetime, in reality, few if any are. Even within the Body of Christ our only eternally guaranteed relationship is with God. People who have been instrumental in building our faith and others who we have introduced to Christ or discipled in the faith will be separated from us for various reasons. Perhaps a job opportunity will draw them to another city, state or country. A controversy in the church may cause a separation in the fellowship. God may call them to plant a new congregation or into a new ministry or mission. Others may turn their backs on the faith for various reasons and under a variety of stimuli. Of course, we all have or will experience the separation from a cherished brother or sister in Christ through physical death. How are we to cope with our loss?

While giving thanksgiving for the time we had with those who are no longer with us, we need to concentrate on the community or individuals who remain. If a church is going to spread the faith, then it will experience the sacrifice of sending disciples out into the world. Likewise, if a church is steadfast in its adherence to the faith once delivered, it will suffer with the abandonment of those who will not make that commitment. In both cases prayers for those who leave us are in order. We should also see it as an opportunity to refocus our attention on the God who has pledged to always be with us.

As well as being thankful for those who remain with us, we are to seek the fellowship of those who in the past have been with us. A letter, phone call, e-mail or a visit has much value for encouragement. But our greatest comfort and growth will come from turning to the Word of God. The reassurance of the divine promise and fellowship with God through his Word provides both an eternal perspective for our circumstances and the opportunity for God to draw us into a closer relationship with him. The wisdom of the ages is observed in the fact that in the solitary moment of death every pious Jew wants these words of Scripture on his lips: “4 Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one.” (Deuteronomy 6:4). In the loneliest of moments of our lives may we too reach for God’s Word.

Thank you, Father for the companions you have given me during my walk with you. Please bless them as you have blessed me through them. O God, your Word is a balm to my loneliness and the anchor in the midst of the storms of this life. It is the assurance that even when I am abandoned by all human companions I am still in your loving hands. Even at the moment of my departure may I be in conversation with you through the meditation upon your Word. Amen.