Feeling Alone? - Jeremiah

Then the LORD told me about the plots my enemies were making against me. I was like a lamb being led to the slaughter. I had no idea that they were planning to kill me! “Let’s destroy this man and all his words,” they said. “Let’s cut him down, so his name will be forgotten forever.”

Jeremiah 11:18-19

At spawning time, salmon make incredible efforts to return to their birthplace. Sometimes the salmon come up against a seemingly impassable waterfall. At that point, each fish is completely alone. There is no teamwork, no well-hatched plan to make sure that all the fish make it over the waterfall. Each individual salmon relies on its own instincts and strength to clear the obstacles—or dies trying.

Have you ever felt completely alone, as if you were the only one even trying to live a godly life? The prophet Jeremiah felt that way long before you did.

Jeremiah had an unpleasant message for Judah’s people—a shocking prophecy of God’s judgment upon their stubborn unfaithfulness. The people didn’t receive his message well; they plotted to kill him rather than listen to any more of it.

At times, Jeremiah must have felt completely alone in faithfully trusting and serving God. Although he was grieved by his people’s plans to kill him, it grieved him more that no one listened to his message.

Humanly speaking, Jeremiah had plenty to fear and plenty to discourage him. He clearly had days when he wanted to give up on the whole enterprise (see Jeremiah 20:8-9). Every time, he placed his eyes firmly on the One who promised never to abandon him (see Jeremiah 1:8).

Like Jeremiah, you may have times when you think, What’s the use? It’s just too hard. I don’t think I can do this anymore. Yet you never have to feel abandoned or alone, even when you think, I’m the only one.

In those times when you feel alone in your life of faith, you can find strength and encouragement by turning to the One who has promised never to leave you. He will always give you just what you need to endure and even thrive.