There are some of us in the Kingdom of God that take for granted being around other godly and righteous people. Not everyone has that blessing. There are people who believe in Jesus Christ that are surrounded by unbelievers and naysayers. They don’t get encouragement. They don’t get comfort. They don’t get strength and peace from the fellowship of brothers and sisters in the faith.
You may be tempted to think, “Well, they should just reach out” or “It’s impossible for something like that to happen.” Well I’m here to tell you, it’s all too possible for it to happen. A married woman whose husband says he’s a believer but is acting like anything but and has demanded she cut off ties to the believers he thinks are criticizing him. A single woman in financial trouble is forced to live with a relative who openly condemns and ridicules her belief in Jesus Christ and constantly insists they turn to another religion. A man who is prophet, and different, and he doesn’t quite fit the mold of what society believes is acceptable. Even his own church members talk about him and shun him, so he lives a quiet and humble and lonely life.
These are three real life examples of people who are not homeless, mentally ill or in some type of crisis which prevents them from having fellowship with other believers. They are God’s beloved but they have literally been cut off from the fellowship of other believers for one reason or another. They are in cities, whole cities that are filled with churches but lack the remnant of believers who are loving, caring and available for fellowship. They are cut off from family and friends who would encourage them and hold them accountable to the standards of God. It is a battle, everyday, to hold their heads up and be counted as a sheep in the fold.
This morning, I am praying for those people who feel like they are alone and lonely. I’m praying for my brothers and sisters who know they are in this faith and fight with only Holy Spirit as their company. I’m crying out for those who are struggling to keep the faith because they only hear the negative from people and only hear the positive from their conversations with the Father. I’m praying for them who are holding on until the Father calls them home.
Don’t take for granted who you may have surrounding you. In good times and bad, you have a church home, family, friends and loved ones who believe the same things you do. Everyone doesn’t have that. And we should pray for our brothers and sisters who don’t.
Selah.
