“There is a friend who sticks closer than a brother,” the Bible tells us. That friend is Jesus, who also promises, “I am with you always” and “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” His presence can fill the aching void within that we all sometimes feel, no matter how many close companions we may have on life’s journey. We need to learn to let Jesus fill that void.

Sit quietly and focus on this promise. “My Presence will go with you.” Think back to before your day even started. Jesus was with you as you slept, watching over you. Morning came, and just as sure as the sun rose, He was there. When you thought about the day ahead, He was there, just waiting for you to ask His help in planning and carrying out that plan. On your way to work, He was right beside you. Every time you encountered a problem, He was waiting with the answer you needed, hoping you would ask Him for it. When you heard some good news, He was happy along with you. When the day took a difficult turn, He was there to comfort you. As you read this, He is beside you.

Tomorrow, as you go through your day, think of Jesus as your constant companion. As you become more aware of Him being right there with you, you will find comfort and companionship that relieves loneliness and fills those blank spots like no one or nothing else can.

Psalm 139:7–12
Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.

​- Anonymous

We have heard stories of leaders or prominent people we never could have imagined or guessed could fall to sin or their place of grace. They sometimes were the people we thought had it all together, the ones we thought were stronger and perhaps the people we look up to. 

When they fell out of grace, we cringe and thought, “if they could, what better” and there will be a select few who may judge the strong ones thinking they should know better. As human as we are, we are bound to make mistakes. How privileged are we to serve a God full of mercy and grace.  He is  able to look pass our trespasses and gives us new grace every morning.

Would you focus on God’s finished work on the cross and accept His mercy upon your mistakes? This is His promise to us:

Isaiah 1:18
"Come now, let us settle the matter," says the LORD. "Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.

​- Irene Soon

“I’m lonely,” wrote Augusten Burroughs in one of his edgy memoirs. “And I’m lonely in some horribly deep way and for a flash of an instant, I can see just how lonely, and how deep this feeling runs.” Clearly, he’s expressed a feeling many of us share.
 
The writer of Ecclesiastes states this with honesty: Someone who is alone finds life’s difficulties harder to manage (Ecclesiastes 4:10), is more vulnerable to abuse (Ecclesiastes 4:12), and can feel that his or her life is meaningless (Ecclesiastes 4:7-8). While having a few friends is best (Ecclesiastes 4:12), just one friend can make a difference. Ecclesiastes puts this beautifully: “Two people lying close together can keep each other warm” (Ecclesiastes 4:11).
 
One of the most touching examples of this I’ve heard is about a woman I’ll call Erica. She was in the depths of depression, feeling isolated and lonely. But she had a friend named Emily. When Erica needed to cry, Emily didn’t stop the tears. When Erica needed to scream, Emily didn’t quiet her down. When Erica needed hope, Emily was ready with an encouraging word.
 
At her darkest moment, Erica lay curled up on an armchair one afternoon. She’d lost hope, and Emily had no words left. So Emily did the best thing she could do—she climbed into that armchair and hugged her friend. Erica drifted off to sleep. Then Emily did too. And that’s how they stayed for the next two hours—two friends embraced in warm silence. Seven years later, Erica remembers that hug more than anything else.

Ecclesiastes 4:9
“Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed” 

- Sheridan Voysey ( Our Daily Journey)

King Solomon left among his wise sayings a prescription for sick and sad hearts, and it is one that we can safely take. A merry heart does good like a medicine.

Joy is the great restorer and healer. Gladness of spirit will bring health to the bones and vitality to the nerves when all other tonics fail and all other sedatives cease to quiet. Are you ill? Begin to rejoice in the Lord, and your bones will flourish like an herb, and your cheeks will glow with the bloom of health and freshness.

​Worry, fear, distrust, care-all are poisonous! joy is balm and healing, and if you will but rejoice, God will give power. He has commanded you to be glad and rejoice, and He never fails to sustain His children in keeping His commandments. Rejoice in the Lord always, He says. This means no matter how sad, how tempted, how sick, how suffering you are, rejoice in the Lord just where you are-and begin this moment.The joy of the Lord is the strength of our body,The gladness of Jesus is the balm for our pain, our peace and the fountain of our healing.

Proverbs 17:22
A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones

- Anonymous 

Fearing to launch on “full surrender’s” tide,
I asked the Lord where would its water glide
“To the troubled seas I dread?”
“Unto Myself,” He said
 
Weeping beside an open grave I stood
In bitterness of soul I cried to God:
“Where leads this path of sorrow that I tread?”
“Unto Myself,” He said
 
Watching my heroes,  those I love best,
I saw them fail; they could not stand the test,
Even by this the Lord, through tears not few,
Unto Himself, I drew.

Psalm 18: 19
He brought me out into a spacious place; he rescued me because he delighted in me.

- Anonymous 

As much as we hate to admit, we don’t always like changes. I’m speaking of those changes that generally cause our situation to worsen or circumstances where we have to experience loss and hurt. We eagerly change jobs when it means higher pay and more influence, we happily move to a bigger house, buy a newer car and so on.

In general, the change we dread involves loss that inconveniences us, however, those change is both inevitable and necessary. If everything stays the same, there will be no growth in our lives but we have the assurance of a Shepherd who will always guide us through change and leads us to a better place. We know not but our God knows.

Jesus went from being a respected leader to abandoned by all within the matter of days. Between Palm Sunday and Good Friday, he became the sacrificial lamb. Those changes had to take place for the life Christ has for us.

Not all change is pleasant but we are being led to a better place by God who loves us. Rest your fears on the Shepherd’s hand.

James 5: 11
As you know, we count as blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job's perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.

- John W.

In Genesis 4, we came across a character named Enosh. The name Enosh means frail, mortal man. Just like Enosh; as humans we are all frail and mortal. Although we hope to live a joyful and victorious life, none of us is free from problems such as weaknesses, uncertainty, sickness, or pain.

Some of us might be very determined and strong in character. But human's strength and patience has it's limit.

At the time of Enosh, people began to call on the name of the Lord. Even today, we can also call on His name. It is a comfort to know that our God is living, He listens and He cares. We might be weak at times, but He is always strong. We might be unable, but God is able. We can cast all our worries and cares to Him.

Genesis 4:26 
Seth also had a son, and he named him Enosh. At that time people began to call on the name of the LORD.
John 14:1
Let not your heart be troubled: you believe in God, believe also in me.
Matthew 28:20
..., I am with you always, to the end of the age.

- Diven