April 10, 2019
For full passage click: Psalm 31:9-16 …“I am the scorn of all my adversaries, a horror to my neighbors, an object of dread to my acquaintances; those who see me in the street flee from me.” vs. 11
The tough times will often reveal our truest and dearest friends. If we’re involved in a scandal, some sort of obvious misstep, folks will fall all over themselves in establishing distance; there’s no way they’ll want to be tainted by an association with us. Sometimes, even in cases of divorce or death, we’ll discover that some friends will begin to practice avoidance, perhaps because they don’t know what to say or do in our presence. Often our isolation comes as a surprise. No words are spoken, but connections are damaged and we feel out of touch. When such alienation takes place, our souls are wounded and the loneliness can be intense. The psalmist found consolation in faith. He knew that God would never desert him—and he was right! When friends fail, our Lord will continue to love and protect; and in the dark night of our souls, we discover that deep and abiding Presence. And sometimes, in those lonely times, there will be those who draw near rather than pull away. Occasionally we’ll be surprised by the friends who show up. We may not have known the depth of their caring. And in their hugs, we feel the embrace of God.
Thought for the Day: Who would visit me in prison?
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