You're Not Alone
God's people, throughout history, have shown how easy it is to become discouraged and feel alone. The instances of this in the Bible are so numerous that you could probably chalk it up to human nature. While constant discouragement is a long-running thread, it is comforting to know God's response in return: a reminder that he's in charge, in control, and we are not to fear because we are never alone.
Moses gave the Israelites several words of encouragement, "Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you." [Deuteronomy 31:6] as well as "For the LORD your God is a merciful God; he will not abandon or destroy you or forget the covenant with your forefathers, which he confirmed to them by oath." [Deuteronomy 4:31] and finally [Deuteronomy 20:4] "For the LORD your God is the one who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies to give you victory."
The first quote (Deut 31:6) is one we can and should memorize, as it applies to every stressful situation. The Lord never will leave or forsake us, no matter how we feel alone, no matter what is going on. This quote is repeated almost verbatim centuries later in 1 Kings 8:57 "May the LORD our God be with us as he was with our fathers; may he never leave us nor forsake us."
David, as a psalmist, also praised God for his faithfulness to believers. "Those who know your name will trust in you, for you, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek you." [Psalms 9:10] Later, another psalmist exclaims "In my anguish I cried to the LORD, and he answered by setting me free. The LORD is with me; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me? The LORD is with me; he is my helper. I will look in triumph on my enemies." [Psalms 118:5-7] These psalms and others continually remind us that God is with us at all times.
Most of the Old Testament comments on God's continued presence, the author of Hebrews quotes Deuteronomy again in 13:5-6 Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you." So we say with confidence, "The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?"
We have an advocate with God, who pleads for our behalf, Jesus. While he is not present physically in the world right now, he is merely a prayer away from us. Further, he promised to send the Holy Spirit to dwell in our hearts, yet another part of God to keep us from ever being alone. Jesus promised the Holy Spirit in John 14:16-17: "And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever-- the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you." Later, in Acts 2:1-4, the Holy Spirit came on the apostles, just as Jesus promised, and the Holy Spirit is still available to those that ask and receive.
Once again, we have a reminder from Jesus that we're never alone: "And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." - Matthew 28:20b
When you feel alone, open your eyes-- the truth that you're not alone is plain to see. God is faithful and keeps his promises even when we don't, and we have his word that he's with us. That promise should be sufficient to carry you through all circumstances.
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