Devotionals

From Loneliness to Joy

by Dale Buchanan 
04/02/26
Free to Share
Author requests article critique

  Message Writer
  Hire Writer

Tweet

#7 in “Blessing for Senior Saints” series

“I looked on my right hand, and beheld, but there was no man that would know me: refuge failed me; no man cared for my soul.” (Psalm 142:4 KJV)

“My spouse is gone, and my children don’t have time for me,”  laments many senior saints today.

The Bible gives solutions for this problem.

1.          Find your joy, peace, and satisfaction in the Lord.  “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.” (Isaiah 26:3).  “Delight thyself also in the LORD: and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.” (Psalm 37:4)  “Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.” (1 Peter 5:7).  Learn to meditate on His Word. Memorize Scripture.   Fall in love with the Lord.

2.          Fellowship with other Christians regularly on purpose. “Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together” (Hebrews 10:25) has a broader purpose than just listening to Bible teaching. Although that is very important, this same verse talks about exhorting or encouraging one another.  The preacher may encourage through his sermon, but there is nothing more inspiring than a personal word of support from a fellow Christian.  Plan and implement your encouragement ministry.

Remember, there are many others with worse problems than you.  Look for them. “Heaviness in the heart of man maketh it stoop: but a good word maketh it glad.” (Proverbs 12:25). Speak that “good word” to others. It will brighten their day-- and yours.

3.          Become concerned about and minister to others. Don’t allow yourself to wallow in misery-producing self-pity.  You will experience joy as you give yourself to Jesus and to others.

I will soon be writing a longer, in-depth article about this subject.  Look for it.