“For last night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve stood beside me, and he said, ‘Don’t be afraid, Paul, for you will surely stand trial before Caesar! What’s more, God in his goodness has granted safety to everyone sailing with you.’” (Acts 27:23–24 NLT)

One of the vexing ironies of our modern culture is that people have never been more connected, technologically speaking, yet have never felt more alone. Social scientists warn that loneliness is becoming an epidemic.

Loneliness—feeling alone, abandoned, or in need of real connection—is nothing new, of course. Everyone feels lonely from time to time. Many of the heroes of Scripture experienced loneliness. David was known as a man after God’s own heart (see 1 Samuel 13:14). Yet no one struggled with loneliness more than he did. And no one expressed feelings of loneliness more eloquently than he did.

“Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me” (Psalm 23:4 NLT).

“Even if my father and mother abandon me, the Lord will hold me close” (Psalm 27:10 NLT).

David knew where to turn for comfort when he felt lonely. And so did the apostle Paul.

Time and time again in the book of Acts and the epistles of Paul, God reminds the apostle of His presence—no doubt when Paul needed it most. God knows the needs of His people before we do, and He knows exactly how and when to meet those needs.

In Acts 23, Paul faces a hostile hearing before the Jewish high council and is then taken to the barracks. If ever someone needed some extra assurance, it was Paul at that moment. So, what did God do? “That night the Lord appeared to Paul and said, ‘Be encouraged, Paul. Just as you have been a witness to me here in Jerusalem, you must preach the Good News in Rome as well’” (verse 11 NLT).

At the end of his life, writing to Timothy from prison in Rome, Paul said, “But the Lord stood with me and gave me strength” (2 Timothy 4:17 NLT).

God reassured Paul of His presence in times of need—and He does the same for us.

You can take heart in the face of danger, uncertainty, or loneliness because God is present with you. When your heart sinks, when it seems as though your life is falling apart, you must remember the Lord is there with you.

You are not alone. The Lord will not keep life’s storms from pounding you. He will not keep you from experiencing times of loneliness. But He will be with you through it all.

You may not see Him. You may not hear His audible words. But if you pay attention, you can hear the still, small voice of God. You can find it anytime in His Word.

You can know that you are not alone.

Reflection question: How might God work in your life when you feel alone? Discuss Today's Devo in Harvest Discipleship!

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