Closer than a Brother
"A man with many friends may be harmed, but there is a friend who stays closer than a brother."
-Proverbs 18:24
I have children and grandchildren. In thinking about this scripture in regard to emotional closeness between brothers, I have to shake my head. You know what I mean. I have a couple of grandchildren who are probably plotting as we speak about the demise of a sibling. And my adult children are not that close. But when I think about the proximity of brothers, then I get it. You know the scenario....when the kids are in a back seat traveling, we hear things like " He's touching me! He's looking at me! Make her move! Why do I have to have her around ALL the time!" Remember those conversations ? Maybe you have even heard them today.
So THAT kind of closeness is what I picture when I think of this scripture in Proverbs. So close.....always there.... even when we want to bask in our self-pity and/ or sin. He waits patiently, sometimes in the background, always there expecting us to turn to Him.
I am drawn to this scripture for many reasons right now. It seems so many friends and loved ones right now are experiencing loss and loneliness. As I age, I continue to be saddened and even amazed at the loneliness around me. Moms who sacrificed unbelievably to raise their children, and now seldom hear from those adult children . Wives who never dreamed of living years alone without a spouse. A grandma, home alone on Christmas, because she apparently doesn't fit into the schedule. Married women, who although they have a spouse in their home spend their days lonely and wanting to have a real conversation with someone who cares. Single women, who yearn to share their lives with a mate. Elderly people who wait by the phone or door longing for a visitor or a phone call. Women who have suffered so much abuse in their lives they are crippled as adults, and spend their days alone in their pain. As I write this, the tears are welling up because I can apply names to each of these situations.
Most of the situations I described above will not be healed this side of heaven. They just won't . Too much pain, too much history, or a loss by death that can't be reversed. It seems hopeless. But those of us who believe , and rely on Him as our Savior and Redeemer, don't have to wallow in our loneliness. I know that the only solution for me is the Word. I looked for some scriptures to turn to when I need Him so much, and I want to share them with you:
"Be strong and courageous; don’t be terrified or afraid of them. For it is the LORD your God who goes with you; He will not leave you or forsake you.”
- Deuteronomy 31:6
"Even if my father and mother abandon me, the LORD cares for me."
- Psalm 27:10
-Proverbs 18:24
I have children and grandchildren. In thinking about this scripture in regard to emotional closeness between brothers, I have to shake my head. You know what I mean. I have a couple of grandchildren who are probably plotting as we speak about the demise of a sibling. And my adult children are not that close. But when I think about the proximity of brothers, then I get it. You know the scenario....when the kids are in a back seat traveling, we hear things like " He's touching me! He's looking at me! Make her move! Why do I have to have her around ALL the time!" Remember those conversations ? Maybe you have even heard them today.
So THAT kind of closeness is what I picture when I think of this scripture in Proverbs. So close.....always there.... even when we want to bask in our self-pity and/ or sin. He waits patiently, sometimes in the background, always there expecting us to turn to Him.
I am drawn to this scripture for many reasons right now. It seems so many friends and loved ones right now are experiencing loss and loneliness. As I age, I continue to be saddened and even amazed at the loneliness around me. Moms who sacrificed unbelievably to raise their children, and now seldom hear from those adult children . Wives who never dreamed of living years alone without a spouse. A grandma, home alone on Christmas, because she apparently doesn't fit into the schedule. Married women, who although they have a spouse in their home spend their days lonely and wanting to have a real conversation with someone who cares. Single women, who yearn to share their lives with a mate. Elderly people who wait by the phone or door longing for a visitor or a phone call. Women who have suffered so much abuse in their lives they are crippled as adults, and spend their days alone in their pain. As I write this, the tears are welling up because I can apply names to each of these situations.
Most of the situations I described above will not be healed this side of heaven. They just won't . Too much pain, too much history, or a loss by death that can't be reversed. It seems hopeless. But those of us who believe , and rely on Him as our Savior and Redeemer, don't have to wallow in our loneliness. I know that the only solution for me is the Word. I looked for some scriptures to turn to when I need Him so much, and I want to share them with you:
"Be strong and courageous; don’t be terrified or afraid of them. For it is the LORD your God who goes with you; He will not leave you or forsake you.”
- Deuteronomy 31:6
"Even if my father and mother abandon me, the LORD cares for me."
- Psalm 27:10
"..teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
- Matthew 28:20
"Do not fear, for I am with you;
do not be afraid, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you; I will help you;
I will hold on to you with My righteous right hand."
- Isaiah 41:10
"He heals the brokenhearted
and binds up their wounds"
-Psalm 147:3
I know, because I have learned it the hard way, that each experience we face has a purpose. Although as difficult as we can imagine,in every event there is a lesson for us or an opportunity for glory for Him. For myself, I have to search the Word to get a firm grip on my sanity and remember He is working for my good. He hasn't left me, I don't have to be lonely. Sometimes I think we can get so down from our circumstances we don't even think to access the solution. These scriptures, and many more, tell us truth about our loneliness....that it is not a given....it is not inevitable....it is not a function of our circumstances. Sure, we can choose to wallow.....or we can choose to believe the Word and access the Solution.
Easy? Nope, not always. Sometimes we have to make ourselves, actually force ourselves to seek Him through the pain. To read, to study, to pray. To beg, to cry, to continue to pursue. He WILL keep His promises. The loneliness will subside. Happiness lies in our close personal relationship with Christ. When we put our energy into that relationship, we aren't going to be lonely. He WILL come and abide with us, He WILL hold on to us....bind up our wounds.....care for us.....be with us. He'll stay even closer than that brother invading our space in the backseat. Only in this case, we will want it. And He will get us through. Better than a brother....much better.
Easy? Nope, not always. Sometimes we have to make ourselves, actually force ourselves to seek Him through the pain. To read, to study, to pray. To beg, to cry, to continue to pursue. He WILL keep His promises. The loneliness will subside. Happiness lies in our close personal relationship with Christ. When we put our energy into that relationship, we aren't going to be lonely. He WILL come and abide with us, He WILL hold on to us....bind up our wounds.....care for us.....be with us. He'll stay even closer than that brother invading our space in the backseat. Only in this case, we will want it. And He will get us through. Better than a brother....much better.
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