KEY VERSE:
“ God places the lonely in families ”
Psalms 68:6
In 2020, words like isolation, loneliness and social-distancing filled the headlines in the wake of a global pandemic. For the sake of international health, families and friends were forced to live isolated and unnatural lives unlike any other time. The effects of the pandemic are yet to be fully identified but for certain, the loneliness felt by many has left lasting scars. Surprisingly though, living in isolation isn’t a new way of living and a quick internet search will find that there are individuals who have chosen to live in isolation. Be it 31 years on sunny Budelli Island, Italy, or 40 years in snowy, gothic, Colorado. For most, the thought of living this life in total isolation would be an unbearable existence. Have you ever considered the eternal realities of separation from the heavenly father for all eternity? For those who do not confess Jesus as Lord and saviour, this isolation will be much greater than a short number of fleeting years here on earth.
A great promise we receive in Psalm 68:6 is that, “God places the lonely in families.” God - our eternal heavenly father.
Places - chooses a permanent place for us to remain or dwell.
The lonely - those who are on their own and isolated (all of us due to our punishment of separation due to sin).
In family - adopted into the family by the blood of Jesus and given a place to call home.
Jesus said, “My Father’s house has many rooms prepared for you” and I think there is no greater picture of family than walking into a home, knowing you have a room which belongs to you. Your own bed, possessions and decorations making the room yours. God promises to place the lonely into an eternal home in His presence.
We experience foretastes of heaven here on earth through the family of God as part of a local church. We know whoever did the will of the Father, Jesus considered them to be part of His family. So, by professing faith and being part of the church (God’s chosen way of displaying His manifold wisdom to the world) we know we are in His will and part of the family of God. This means that any time we gather with the family of God and experience love, care, compassion, joy, friendship, generosity and true family, we get a glimpse into the eternal promise of the lonely being placed in family. It is a beautiful promise, totally undeserved yet one which brings such joy and hope both in this life and in the one to come. Enjoy and celebrate being part of the family of God today!
TESTIMONY
FUNMI AKANMU
I grew up surrounded by 'family' - the love of my parents, their care, support and discipline. My mum introduced me to the bible, to prayers, to Christ. I grew up secure and confident. In my early teenage years, my parents’ decision meant I left home and lived thousands of miles away from the security of their love and care. There are times in life when our paths may seem lonely, it may seem like God has allowed us to be taken away from those we consider family and unexpected circumstances of life puts us on lonely paths with separation from family. In my case, search for a better and more stable education resulted in me having to experience maltreatment, rejection, racism, the absence of a family and breakdown of relationship with siblings etc.
I am reminded of the biblical account of how God told Abraham to leave his home and family in Genesis 12: 1-2. The journey I took moving away from my first home and from all things familiar and stepping into an unknown future makes me think of Abraham and how he perhaps felt in that season of his life. However, God gave him a promise that was solidified in love and purpose for his life. At the end of Abraham's story, we see the reality of what Jeremiah 29:11 clearly states. You see, I have come to realise that our heavenly Father truly, unfailingly and faithfully does know the plans He has for us; plans for a hope and a future.
I have had the privilege and blessing of being connected with family through the body of Christ. Everywhere I have had to pilgrim and sojourn, my paths are constantly directed to the family of Christ in different nations, communities etc. This is my testimony - that though I may have had to leave my home, biological family, familiar lands, I have always been led to the body of Christ and amongst His beloved.
John 1:12 -13 (Amplified) But to as many as did receive and welcome Him, He gave the right [the authority, the privilege] to become children of God, that is, to those who believe in (adhere to, trust in, and rely on) His name— who were born, not of blood [natural conception], nor of the will of the flesh [physical impulse], nor of the will of man [that of a natural father], but of God [that is, a divine and supernatural birth—they are born of God—spiritually transformed, renewed, sanctified].
What has God said to you through today’s promise?