Lonely Saints

Aurelius Ambrosius (St. Ambrose)

I am never less alone, than when I am alone; for then I can enjoy the presence of my God most freely, fully, and sweetly, without interruption.

Joseph Alleine The Precious Promises of the Gospel

My omnipresence shall be company for you (1 Chronicles 22:18; Joshua 1:5, 9). Surely I will be with you to bless you. No bolts, no bars, no bonds, nor banishment shall remove you from Me, nor keep My presence and the influences of heaven from you (Genesis 39:21, 23). I am always with you (Matthew 28:20); in your darkest nights, in your deepest dangers, I am close at hand, a very present help in the time of trouble (Psalm 46:1; 34:18). I am not a God who is afar off or asleep or on a journey when you need My counsel, My ear, or My aid. I am always nigh unto those who fear Me.

Hugh Martin “Joyous Spirituality of Christian Pilgrimage”

Hebrews 11:13 ‘I am a stranger and a pilgrim in the earth’

As the Word of God dwells in us more richly; as we increase in the study and knowledge of the believing heart, and increase in sympathy with it, in its joys and sorrows, its responsibilities and privileges, its burdens and reliefs, its blessings and hopes; as these are opened up to us in the Scriptures, we will feel more and more alienated from a sinful and unsatisfying, and really very shallow world, and more and more satisfied with our position as ‘strangers on the earth’.

The more you are alienated in spirit from a passing, shallow, heartless, ungodly world, the more will you feel constrained to apply in livelier faith and prayer to your heavenly Father for friendship and fellowship with him. The more, also, will you love the worship, the house, the cause and kingdom of Christ upon the earth; and the more liberally, joyfully, and prayerfully will you give for the support and propagation of his gospel.

William Gurnall The Christian in Complete Armour

The reason why there are so few Christians indeed; so many that run and so few obtain; so many go into the field against Satan, and so few come out conquerors; because all have a desire to be happy, but few have courage and resolution to grapple with the difficulties that meet them in the way to their happiness.

Richard Sibbes "The Matchless Love and Inbeing"

God allows his dearest children to be forsaken by those close to them. In this we are conformed to Christ Jesus, who was left alone by his beloved disciples.

How shall we persevere in our course?

1. Hold out a strong resolution against opposition, since scandals and difficulties will come.

2. Labour to know the truth, and practice what you know.

3. Get the love of God in your heart and focus on your encouragements.

4. Strive for self-denial. A true Christian has a single eye. You cannot have God and your lusts together.

5. Grow deeper in humility. A man is humble when he accounts sin his greatest evil and grace his chiefest good.

C.H. Spurgeon

The grandest majority in the world is a minority of one when that man is on God's side.

On Psalm 88:18 “...the darkness is my closest friend.”

Lonely sorrow falls to the lot of not a few; let them not repine, but enter herein into close communion with that dearest lover and friend who is never far from his tried ones.

Isaiah 41:10

So do not fear, for I am with you...