He Knows His Own! (Part One)

Read: Genesis 22:11-13; Genesis 46:1-4

Okay, time to play ‘Name that Tune’. Ready? Name the song that became a hit for Bobby Vinton in 1964 which has a title that could describe our present world? You have thirty seconds. If you said Blue Velvet, you're wrong. That one came out in 1963. The answer is "Mr. Lonely." A song about a soldier who longs to talk with someone on the phone and wishes that he could go back home.

Loneliness. I have heard more than once in the past months that it is an epidemic pretty much everywhere and that it is more dangerous to our health than smoking. Is it any wonder that people are seeking something to fill that ache that often no one else knows is in their hearts? Is it any wonder that many have looked for companionship in AI?

Before going any further, may I stop to say that this won't be a rant against all forms of AI. There are good uses for this technology, and I have been aided by the use of AI as a helpful tool, but no matter how useful, AI is merely a thing that doesn't love me nor does it care about what is important to me, and if I were to use it for that purpose, loneliness and disappointment would ultimately be the results. With that said, let's remind ourselves of the One Who truly knows those of us Who belong to Him. The One Who also is longing to save those Who don't yet comprehend His personal love for them, 2 Peter 3:9; Luke 19:10. The One Who sees in our times of loneliness and cares when we struggle. If we were sitting down with someone who thinks that God can't or doesn't know His own, nor care about us when we are lonely, what might we say? I know there are lots of ways to approach this question, but let's look at those God called by name. The ones He called out to by twice speaking their names. What can we learn about Him and His personal love by doing this? Let's start with two that we meet in the book of Genesis.

1. Abraham, Abraham, Genesis 22:11-13

After years of learning about God and trusting Him, in Genesis 22, we are told that God tested Abraham. The precious son that God had miraculously given to Abraham and Sarah was to be offered back to God. Whenever I read this account, I must confess that I am glad to get to these verses where God stopped Abraham and provided the ram caught in the thicket so that Isaac was spared. We learn in these verses that the God Who tests is the same One Who has the parameters of the tests in mind. We are reminded that God is watching and knows both the strengths and weaknesses of His children. There is something else that we learn in the book of Hebrews. Something that Abraham knew that isn't revealed in Genesis. In Hebrews 11:18-20, we learn that Abraham's faith had grown to such a degree by the time God tested him that the patriarch knew that God would raise Isaac from the dead. If that became necessary. Abraham knew by this time that God Who had given him this promised son would also continue his line through Isaac. God knew Abraham. His actions and reactions were no surprise to the Lord.

Loneliness Buster:

The God Who allows trials does not leave His children alone in them. He has "rams" caught in the thicket for us. They are often his children who come alongside and offer comfort and care, 2 Corinthians 1:3-5. What we deal with is not without meaning and purpose. Job said in chapter 23 and verse 10: But he knows the way that I take; when he has tried me, I shall come out as gold.

2. Jacob, Jacob, Genesis 46:1-4

After years of believing that Joseph had been devoured by a wild animal, Jacob's grief surely was changed into rejoicing when he learned that Joseph was alive. Not only alive but second in command in Egypt! Even so, he was old by this time. Imagine taking all that he had and moving out of the land of promise to Egypt. I love it that God tells His man not to be afraid. I guess it is because fear is such a universal feeling that I'm comforted to know that Jacob also experienced it. If he weren't afraid, God wouldn't have told him why that fear needn't be on him. God reassured Jacob that His covenant promises were still intact. His location would be different, but God would go with Him, and God also reassured him that Joseph would bring him back to the land of promise when his time on earth ended. Sometimes when we are afraid, even those of us who belong to God, we feel lonely. If people don't share our same fears, they might not offer comfort. However, God is not like that. He not only told Jacob not to fear, but He held out solid truth to His man to encourage him.

Loneliness Buster:

When we are afraid, we are experiencing something common to human beings. Yes, God wants us to know He is with us as He told Jacob. There is truth to comfort us when we are afraid, but God doesn't pound it into our heads; instead, He holds it out to strengthen us. In Psalm 23 where we learn about the Good Shepherd, we are reminded about His care for us, His sheep. One of the things the shepherd does for his sheep is run his hands through their fleece. It is during this special time of tender care that the shepherd might find wounds that been inflicted by brambles. Or perhaps, there are places where the sheep have been bitten by insects. When such abrasions are found, the shepherd rubs those areas with special healing salve. That is how God through the Holy Spirit takes care of His fearful sheep. Applying the truth of the Word to those places where fear has caused injury.

One more example that might bust the loneliness of fear:

Even Paul was afraid. I mention him because of the strength he generally displayed, but because he was human like us, he was vulnerable and could be afraid. In Acts 18:9-10, God came to him in a vision and told him not to be afraid. God's tender words reassured Paul that the Lord was with him. Therefore, he should continue to speak out. No one would harm him there, and God had many others who were there too.

Oh, how good it is that when tests or fear make us feel alone, we can remember Abraham and Jacob's God. The One Who reached out to them by name. The One Who reminded them that they were not alone. There are five more whom God spoke to by twice calling their names; therefore, next week, Lord willing Part Two.