For the month of April, we are to practice “social distancing.” Health officials tell us that this will help in our fight against this virus; this invisible enemy. But this attempt at mitigation has its adverse effects. We are warned that the isolation can lead to depression, spousal abuse and even suicide. These are very serious possibilities. In Genesis 2:18 the Bible says, “And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him.” This is the first time the word “alone” is used in the Scriptures and it is NOT GOOD! There is a big difference between being alone and being lonely. Some may even enjoy time alone, but no one enjoys being lonely. One can be alone in a crowd because a crowd is not company.

We need community, fellowship, friendship and relationship. Ecclesiates 4:9-10 says, “Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour. For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up.” WOE TO HIM THAT IS ALONE. IT IS NOT GOOD THAT THE MAN SHOULD BE ALONE. As Christians we are instructed to comfort one another, edify one another, love one another, etc. This is very strengthening and helpful, but more difficult at a distance.

One evening in 1808, a gaunt, sad-faced man entered the office of Dr. James Hamilton in Manchester, England. The doctor was struck by the melancholic appearance of his visitor. He enquired: “Are you sick?” “Yes, doctor, sick of a mortal malady.” “What malady?” “I am frightened of the terror of the world around me. I am depressed by life. I can find no happiness anywhere, nothing amuses me, and I have nothing to live for. If you can’t help me, I shall kill myself.” “The malady is not mortal. You only need to get out of yourself. You need to laugh; to get some pleasure from life.” “ What shall I do?” “Go to the circus tonight to see Grimaldi, the clown. Grimaldi is the funniest man alive. He’ll cure you.” A spasm of pain crossed the poor man’s face as he said: “Doctor, don’t jest with me; I am Grimaldi.”

“God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord.”
1 Corinthians 1:9

“Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.”
Isaiah 41:10

“Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.”
Psalms 16:11

Be encouraged! With Jesus, you’re never alone.

Take time to be holy, speak oft with thy Lord;
Abide in Him always, and feed on His Word.
Make friends of God’s children, help those who are weak,
Forgetting in nothing His blessing to seek.

Take time to be holy, the world rushes on;
Spend much time in secret, with Jesus alone.
By looking to Jesus, like Him thou shalt be;
Thy friends in thy conduct His likeness shall see.

Take time to be holy, let Him be thy Guide;
And run not before Him, whatever betide.
In joy or in sorrow, still follow the Lord,
And, looking to Jesus, still trust in His Word.

Take time to be holy, be calm in thy soul,
Each thought and each motive beneath His control.
Thus led by His Spirit to fountains of love,
Thou soon shalt be fitted for service above.

“Take Time to Be Holy” by William D. Longstaff

Psalms 23:6 states, “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.” This is a promise that every Christian can “hang their hat on.” In Isaiah 22:23 God uses the language of “a nail in a sure place” when presenting a “picture” of the Lord Jesus Christ. Isaiah 28:16 says, “Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation:” again speaking of the Savior. Hebrews 6:19 states, “Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast,…” Surely goodness and mercy. A nail in a sure place. A sure foundation. Both sure and stedfast.

There is a wonderful old Hymn, “In Times Like These.”

In times like these you need a Savior,
In times like these you need an anchor;
Be very sure, be very sure,
Your anchor holds and grips the Solid Rock!

This Rock is Jesus, Yes He’s the One,
This Rock is Jesus, the only One;
Be very sure, be very sure,
Your anchor holds and grips the Solid Rock!

We listen to the news that is constantly changing. It’s good news or it’s bad news. It’s not so good or not so bad. It’s worse than they say or not as bad as they say. Proverbs 25:25, “As cold waters to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country.” I don’t think it’s referring to China. There is certainly good news from the Bible. Jesus said He would never leave us nor forsake us. He promised to comfort us. The media informed us that scientists are going to be using a “serum” made from the antibodies of those that were infected with the virus and their systems defeated it. There is a great spiritual application here. As Christians, as believers, we have experienced the love of God, the help of God, the comfort of God, etc. We have been blessed and we are able to be a blessing. We have felt His love and we are to love one another. We have experienced His mercy and we are privileged to show mercy. In times like these, we can be such a help and comfort to many because of what God has done for us.

Paul said in Colossians 2:5, “For though I be absent in the flesh, yet am I with you in the spirit, joying and beholding your order, and the stedfastness of your faith in Christ.” We miss being with you, but want to assure you that we are with you in spirit and thank God for how He is using you at this time for His glory. BE VERY SURE!

“Absence makes the heart grow fonder.” People that love and appreciate each other miss seeing each other. There is a great comfort and encouragement in fellowshipping together. The early church met not only to worship the Lord, but to strengthen one another. In his absence from the believers in the church at Philippi, Paul wrote, “I thank my God upon every remembrance of you.” It is stated about Epaphroditus in his absence from the same church, “He longed after you all.” When Paul was leaving the church at Ephesus, the believers “wept sore… that they should see his face no more.” At Fellowship Bible Church, we are friends, we are fellow labourers, we are fellow soldiers, we are fellow worshipers. WE ARE FAMILY!

I Corinthians 12 describes the local church as a body. Verse 26 states, “And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it: or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it.” We weep with those that weep and rejoice with those that rejoice. It is such a blessing to see the love, care and concern that each member has for the other at “such a time as this.”

After giving the believers at the church at Thessalonica the Word of God, Paul said to them, “comfort one another with these words.” The Bible talks about the comfort of the Scriptures. When I personally am overwhelmed, fearful or discouraged, I “flee” to the Psalms. Some of my favorites are Psalms 23, 34, 84, 103 and 121. They are all so healing and comforting.

Jesus said to His disciples, “I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.” “I will never leave thee nor forsake thee.” I will be with you, “in times of trouble.” He comforts us that we may not only be comforted, but that we might be comforters. II Corinthians 1:3, “Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort.” 4, “Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.”

Know today that you are being thought of and prayed for with love and appreciation. May God knit all of our hearts together. Please let us know when and how we can minister to you. Remember the old saying, “We don’t know what tomorrow holds, but we know who holds tomorrow.” May God richly bless you and give you peace in your heart.