Some people like being alone. Some fear being alone. Many like a combination of the two. Time alone, but not always alone. Social time is important also.
Enoch was like this. He took “time out” from his busy schedule of preaching to be alone with God. “In the midst of a life of active labor, Enoch steadfastly maintained his communion with God. The greater and more pressing his labors, the more constant and earnest were his prayers. He continued to exclude himself, at certain periods, from all society. After remaining for a time among the people, laboring to benefit them by instruction and example, he would withdraw, to spend a season in solitude, hungering and thirsting for that divine knowledge which God alone can impart.” –Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 86–87
While living a life of constant activity, Jesus took time alone also. “And He withdrew Himself into the wilderness, and prayed.” Luke 5:16
Sadly, some people have felt so alone—neglected, rejected—like no one loves them or is there to help them, and they end up committing suicide. If only they knew that they were not really alone, ever.
Some fear being alone on earth so much that they must constantly have some “background noise”, whether the radio or the TV, or then they spend endless hours on social media so they do not feel so alone. They think that being alone from worldly noise is something fearful.
The reality is that we are never alone. Is this a good thing or a bad thing?
“O LORD, Thou hast searched me, and known me. Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, Thou understandest my thought afar off. Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways. Whither shall I go from Thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from Thy presence? If I ascend up into heaven, Thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, Thou art there.” Psalm 139:1–3, 7–8
NEVER ALONE
Do not think you are ever alone—never. When you feel all alone on this earth remember that the universe sees you. The unseen world is all around you.
“This world is a theater. The actors, the inhabitants of the world, are preparing to act their part in the last great drama.” –The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, vol. 6, p. 1106
“The whole heavenly universe are intensely interested in every penitent soul that comes to Jesus; and they are interested, too, in the impenitent—in those whom they hope to see saved by repentance and reformation. Angels are watching our every act. They are familiar with every word uttered.” –Reflecting Christ, p. 250
“The heavenly universe is more interested than we can imagine in all that concerns God’s people, who are being fitted up for an inheritance among the sanctified and blessed. All that concerns His people concerns Himself, with whom they and all their interests are one.” –Manuscript Releases, vol. 21, p. 363
Do not think you are ever alone on this earth. Not only the unseen world, but the seen world is watching God’s professed people, expecting them to live up to their profession (co-workers, friends, family, neighbours, and even strangers). Does your appearance and behaviour indicate that you are a follower of Christ, without you having to even open your mouth?
“Every one of us is exerting an influence upon some other soul; and we shall each be held accountable for the effect of that influence. Words and actions have a telling power, and the long hereafter will show the results of our life here. Yet how few consider these things! The members of the church listen to the word of God, spoken by His servant, and then one goes to his farm, another to his merchandise; and by their absorbing interest in the affairs of this life, they declare that eternal things are of secondary importance to them.” –The Review and Herald, January 19, 1886
How important that we are aware of this and are careful of how we speak and act. You are not your own; you are not alone. Nothing is secret. “Thou hast set our iniquities before Thee, our secret sins in the light of Thy countenance.” Psalm 90:87
ALONE WITH THE LORD
The Lord sometimes speaks to His children in darkness. “And I will give thee the treasures of darkness.” Isaiah 45:3. “Moses drew near unto the thick darkness where God was.” Exodus 20:21
He separates them from friends and family, from varied activities and brings them to a place where they feel alone. It may feel very dark, and lonely, but this is what He sometimes has to do to get your attention. When you are alone with no other distractions, then He can speak to you more clearly.
We often can get too busy with the affairs of this life and He wants “alone time” with us. So He orchestrates circumstances to enable this to happen. Do we complain? Or appreciate the time alone? Time out? “When I sit in darkness, the LORD shall be a light unto me.” Micah 7:8
God sometimes speaks in darkness. “He made darkness His secret place; His pavilion round about Him were dark waters and thick clouds of the skies.” Psalm 18:11
LOVED AS IF YOU WERE ALONE
Jesus loves you as if you were alone—the only person to be saved. He loves you as if you were the only person on the earth who sinned and needs a Saviour. He takes a careful interest in the salvation of each and every person on this earth. He orchestrates circumstances suited to each particular case, specifically what is needed for their salvation; and each person has a completely different experience.
“Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered.” Matthew 10:29–30. “He who stoops to notice even the little birds has a special care for all branches of His work. All . . . are under the eye of the infinite God.” –Testimonies for the Church, vol. 4, p. 564
“Every soul is as fully known to Jesus as if he were the only one for whom the Saviour died. The distress of every one touches His heart. The cry for aid reaches His ear. He came to draw all men unto Himself. He bids them, ‘Follow Me,’ and His Spirit moves upon their hearts to draw them to come to Him. Many refuse to be drawn. Jesus knows who they are. He also knows who gladly hear His call, and are ready to come under His pastoral care. He says, ‘My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.’ He cares for each one as if there were not another on the face of the earth.” –The Desire of Ages, p. 480
What a wonderful thought. How comforting. He is a loving Father, and has given all of heaven for our salvation. We are never alone because He is always with us as long as we do not walk away from Him. It is a reality that “Your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid His face from you, that He will not hear.” Isaiah 59:2. If the Lord’s presence is not there then does that mean we are really and truly alone? No, if the Lord is not there then the evil one is. “It is not necessary for us deliberately to choose the service of the kingdom of darkness in order to come under its dominion. We have only to neglect to ally ourselves with the kingdom of light. If we do not co-operate with the heavenly agencies, Satan will take possession of the heart, and will make it his abiding place.” –The Desire of Ages, p. 324
DURING JACOB’S TROUBLE
The time of Jacob’s trouble will be a very trying time for God’s people. They will be tempted into thinking they are alone and rejected. The world will be against them. But, although it may seem so from outward circumstances, the reality is they are not alone.
“Could men see with heavenly vision, they would behold companies of angels that excel in strength stationed about those who have kept the word of Christ’s patience. With sympathizing tenderness, angels have witnessed their distress, and have heard their prayers. They are waiting the word of their Commander to snatch them from their peril. But they must wait yet a little longer. The people of God must drink of the cup, and be baptized with the baptism. The very delay, so painful to them, is the best answer to their petitions. As they endeavor to wait trustingly for the Lord to work, they are led to exercise faith, hope, and patience, which have been too little exercised during their religious experience. Yet for the elect’s sake, the time of trouble will be shortened. The end will come more quickly than men expect. The wheat will be gathered and bound in sheaves for the garner of God; the tares will be bound as fagots for the fires of destruction.
“The heavenly sentinels, faithful to their trust, continue their watch. In some cases, before the time specified in the decree, enemies will rush upon the waiting ones to put them to death. But none can pass the mighty guardians stationed about every faithful soul. Some are assailed in their flight from the cities and villages; but the swords raised against them break and fall as powerless as a straw. Others are defended by angels in the form of men of war.” –Spiritual Gifts, vol. 4, p. 447
“Angels are belting the world, refusing Satan his claims to supremacy, made because of the vast multitude of his adherents. We hear not the voices, we see not with the natural sight the work of these angels, but their hands are linked about the world, and with sleepless vigilance they are keeping the armies of Satan at bay till the sealing of God’s people shall be accomplished.” –Maranatha, p. 266
JUDGED AS IF YOU WERE ALONE
Although God loves each individual as though there was no one else on earth, the solemn though is that also, you are judged with such scrutiny, as if you were the only one being judged.
“Though all nations are to pass in judgment before Him, yet He will examine the case of each individual with as close and searching scrutiny as if there were not another being on earth.
“All heaven is interested in our salvation. The angels of God are walking up and down the streets of these cities, and marking the deeds of men. They record in the books of God’s remembrance the words of faith, the acts of love, the humility of spirit; and in that day when every man’s work shall be tried of what sort it is, the work of the humble follower of Christ will stand the test, and will receive the commendation of Heaven.” –The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, vol. 7, p. 986
“He sees whether their duties are performed with strict integrity or in a careless, dishonest manner. . . . Angels are constantly ascending to heaven, bearing up the record with joy or sadness. Every act of fidelity is registered, every act of dishonesty also is recorded, and every person is finally to be rewarded as his works have been.” –Testimonies for the Church, vol. 4, p. 564
You are not alone. The angels are watching your every move and documenting all your activities and thoughts.
“All of us, as beings blessed of God with reasoning powers, with intellect and judgment, should acknowledge our accountability to God. The life He has given us is a sacred responsibility, and no moment of it is to be trifled with; for we shall have to meet it again in the record of the judgment. In the books of heaven our lives are as accurately traced as in the picture on the plate of the photographer. Not only are we held accountable for what we have done, but for what we have left undone. We are held to account for our undeveloped characters, our unimproved opportunities.
“As the artist takes on the polished glass a true picture of the human face, so the angels of God daily place upon the books of heaven an exact representation of the character of every human.
“God judges every man according to his work. Not only does He judge, but He sums up, day by day and hour by hour, our progress in welldoing. ” –The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, vol. 7, p. 987
“Every individual has a soul to save or to lose. Each has a case pending at the bar of God. Each must meet the great Judge face to face.” –In Heavenly Places, p. 360. Alone, face to face with the heavenly Judge. No family, friends or church minister will be by your side.
RUNNING A RACE
Salvation is likened to running a race. In a race, you must run alone and keep your eyes on the finish line. You cannot be distracted by looking at the crowd. Some will be for you and some against you. You cannot look at your running companions, comparing your progress with them. You must keep looking at the finish line. And the beautiful part about this race is that, not only the first person who crosses the finish line gets the prize, but everyone who crosses, undistracted, will also receive a prize. “The race is not to the swift.” Ecclesiastes 9:11. “I therefore so run, not as uncertainly.” 1 Corinthians 9:26
“Not one who complies with the conditions will be disappointed at the end of the race. Not one who is earnest and persevering will fail of success. The race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong. The weakest saint, as well as the strongest, may wear the crown of immortal glory. All may win who, through the power of divine grace, bring their lives into conformity to the will of Christ.” –The Acts of the Apostles, p. 313
You cannot turn to the right or to the left. You cannot look around. You cannot stop. You must keep looking forward and running forward. “And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left.” Isaiah 30:21. Or you could substitute the word “walk” for “run” in the previous verse, “run ye in it.” “No man, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.” Luke 9:62. Or you could say, no man having started to run the race and looks back will be fit to win. “Remember Lot’s wife.” Luke17:32. Go forward. Do not stop or look around.
“Let us run with patience the race that is set before us.” Hebrews 12:1
CANNOT BE SAVED ALONE
“There will be no one saved in heaven with a starless crown. If you enter, there will be some soul in the courts of glory that has found an entrance there through your instrumentality.” –Last Day Events, p. 282
“All who are partakers of this great salvation wrought out by Jesus Christ are under obligation to work as laborers together with God. In the heavenly courts the roll is called, on which every name is registered, and the heavenly agencies respond to the call. The service given by every human being upon earth is there recorded. If any are negligent, it is recorded; if diligent, the same is reported; if idlers, the fact stands against their names. In all the great mass of humanity, not one is lost sight of. Then let every one be ready to answer the call, saying, ‘Here, Lord, ready for action.’
“The world has claims upon you. If you fail to shine as lights in the world, some will rise in the judgment, and charge upon you the blood of their souls. It will be seen that you were an agent in the hands of the enemy of God and man to mislead and deceive by your profession of Christianity. You did not lead souls to piety and devotion. You had a name to live, but were spiritually dead. You had not the vitalizing influence of the Spirit of God, which is abundantly provided for all who, in faith, make demands upon it.” –The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, vol. 7, p. 987. This will be a very sad time. These people will really truly feel alone.
“Oh that Christ’s followers might realize that it is not houses and lands, bank stock or wheat-fields, or even life itself, that is now at stake, but souls for whom Christ died! We should ever remember that the men and women whom we daily meet are Judgment-bound. They will stand before the great white throne, to testify against us if we are unfaithful to duty, if our example shall lead them away from the truth and from Christ, or to bear witness that our fidelity has encouraged them in the path of righteousness. These souls will either live to offer praise to God and the Lamb through ceaseless ages, or they will perish with the wicked. Christ suffered and died that they might enjoy a blissful eternity. What sacrifices are we willing to make for their salvation?” –The Signs of the Times, October 8, 1885
We all need time to be alone from earthly activities, but if we are faithful to God, His presence will be with us. Jesus said, “Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.” Matthew 28:20. We may feel alone at times on this earth, away from human contact, but we are never alone. May God help us to make a good use of our lives and remember to always live as if in the immediate presence of God, because that is the reality. We are never alone. Amen
Wendy Eaton