Perhaps Lonely, But Never Alone

But very truly I tell you, it is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him to you. – John 16:7

It must have been very difficult for the disciples to imagine any positive outcome to Jesus' departure. They had placed all their hopes in Him, and their still unregenerate minds could not comprehend the magnitude of the future events that He described. How could Jesus possibly leave and yet also remain?

Loneliness and feelings of abandonment are struggles we all face; however, a personal relationship with Jesus Christ guarantees the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit that He promised. Encouraging reminders of His presence are often received by those who believe. They often come in the hug of a friend, a thoughtful note, and a reassuring passage of Scripture.

To put it simply, we may be lonely, but we are never alone in Christ.

When Christ returned to heaven, He withdrew His physical presence from our sight. He didn't stop being with the disciples but by the ascension fulfilled His promise to be with us to the end of the world. As His body was raised to heaven, so His power and reign have spread to the uttermost parts. – John Calvin