I write in my Bible. Particularly when I hear a really good sermon, I take notes in the margins of the passage that the sermon is based on (because I've never heard a really good sermon that wasn't based on Scripture).

Over 20 years ago I heard the Rev. Gerald Tidwell of First Baptist Church in Durant, Oklahoma, preach a sermon on loneliness based on 2 Timothy 4. Rereading this passage recently, and my marginal notes from that sermon, I decided it needed reprinting here.

The Apostle Paul was in a Roman prison facing the end of his life, which probably came at the hands of Emperor Nero. Paul knew his time was short "I am already on the point of being sacrificed; the time of my departure has come" so he took pains to get a couple of last-minute letters out to his son in the faith, Timothy.

But . . . Paul was lonely. And he experienced loneliness in the same way we do:

Loneliness comes when we feel shelved or forgotten. "Demas, in love with this present world, has deserted me . . . Crescens has gone to Galatia, Titus to Dalmatia. Luke alone is with me."

Loneliness makes us relive the past. "Alexander the coppersmith did me great harm. . . . At my first defense no one took my part; all deserted me."

Loneliness tends to recur at certain times of the year. "Do your best to come before winter."

Loneliness makes us aware of the significance of others. "Get Mark and bring him with you."

Loneliness forces us to turn our concerns totally over to God. ". . . The Lord will requite [Alexander] for his deeds."

But loneliness is an affliction that can be controlled:

Invest time with intimate friends. "Do your best to come to me soon."

Take care of your bodily needs. "Bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas . . ."

Strengthen your mind with good books "also the books" especially Scripture "and above all the parchments."

And remember that loneliness is a temporary condition: "Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that Day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing."



© Posted April 29, 2008, by Robin Hardy


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