Who was Lonely in the Bible? 3 Examples

Loneliness is full of shadows that flow through our mind to our heart. We can be surrounded by people and still be lonely. The Lord provides a sanctuary in these times. We are going to look at Who was Lonely in the Bible? 3 Examples.

Some of the questions to look at in this lesson are:

• What does the Bible say about loneliness?
• Who was lonely in the Bible?
• What is God’s answer to loneliness?
• How do you deal with loneliness Biblically?

What Does the Bible Say about Loneliness?

Psalm 68:5-6 NIV

“A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows,
    is God in his holy dwelling.
 God sets the lonely in families,
    he leads out the prisoners with singing;
    but the rebellious live in a sun-scorched land.“

God does not intend for us to be alone. He will help those who need encouragement from others. God will provide your needs.

Psalm 16:11 NIV

“You make known to me the path of life;
    you will fill me with joy in your presence,
    with eternal pleasures at your right hand.”

The Lord has given us a method to know His path for us. Praying and reading His Word can help in knowing what is right for our lives. When we do this, He gives us joy in His presence that can help remove our loneliness.

Who was Lonely in the Bible?

Joseph

Acts 7:9-14 NIV

 “Because the patriarchs were jealous of Joseph, they sold him as a slave into Egypt. But God was with him and rescued him from all his troubles. He gave Joseph wisdom and enabled him to gain the goodwill of Pharaoh king of Egypt. So Pharaoh made him ruler over Egypt and all his palace.

 Joseph experienced great anxiety and stress in his life. His brothers hated him and sold him to slave traders who took him to Egypt. He spent time in prison for a crime He did not commit. He was in prison for two years before being released by the king’s cupbearer.

These were very lonely times for Joseph but God took care of him.

Genesis 39:2-5 NIV

“The Lord was with Joseph so that he prospered, and he lived in the house of his Egyptian master.  When his master saw that the Lord was with him and that the Lord gave him success in everything he did,  Joseph found favor in his eyes and became his attendant. Potiphar put him in charge of his household, and he entrusted to his care everything he owned.” 

 God does not always take care of our loneliness in this manner, but like Joseph, He will help us overcome our loneliness in His plan for us. From the moment of his brothers abuse until his release from prison, God sustained him, both emotionally and physically.

David

Psalm 25:14-18 NIV

“The Lord confides in those who fear him;
    he makes his covenant known to them.
 My eyes are ever on the Lord,
    for only he will release my feet from the snare.

Turn to me and be gracious to me,
    for I am lonely and afflicted.
 Relieve the troubles of my heart
    and free me from my anguish.
Look on my affliction and my distress
    and take away all my sins.”

David experienced loneliness many times as he ran from King Saul who was trying to kill him. He even at times had to hide in caves to evade King Saul’s endeavors to find him.

Imagine running and hiding from your enemy who happened to be your own son. Absalom had every intention of killing his own father David for the throne.

David’s strength in times of distress and loneliness was dependent on God. The Lord was always there for him in time of need.

Job

Job 30:29-30 NIV

“I have become a brother of jackals,
    a companion of owls.

 My skin grows black and peels;
    my body burns with fever.“

Job was so alone that his only companions were the jackals and owls. He had lost everything, even his children. His wife wanted him to curse God and die. His friends way of consoling him was to blame his condition on sin.

God was there in his loneliness and blessed him,

Job 42:10 NIV

“After Job had prayed for his friends, the Lord restored his fortunes and gave him twice as much as he had before.

All his brothers and sisters and everyone who had known him before came and ate with him in his house. They comforted and consoled him over all the trouble the Lord had brought on him, and each one gave him a piece of silver and a gold ring.”

What is God’s Answer for Loneliness?

Isaiah 41:10 NIV

“So do not fear, for I am with you;
    do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
    I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

What do we receive from God in our loneliness?

• Release from fear
• No stress
• God’s strength
• Being held lovingly by His powerful hand

Going to Him first will take the sting out of loneliness, removes the negative emotions and replace it with His contentment.

How Do You Deal with Loneliness Biblically?

1. Go to the Lord in prayer first. Don’t let it become a real issue.

1 Chronicles 16:11 NIV

“Look to the Lord and his strength;
  seek his face always.”

2. Read His promises. The Lord is the same yesterday, today and forever. His Word will help you today.

Psalm 119:50 NIV

“My comfort in my suffering is this:
 Your promise preserves my life.”

3. Remember, God helps in every kind of problem. Nothing is too big or too small for Him.

Psalm 34:17 NIV

“The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them;
  he delivers them from all their troubles.”

4. Think on good things.

Philippians 4:8 NIV

“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.”

5. God heals.

Psalm 30:2 NIV

“Lord my God, I called to you for help,
 and you healed me.”

6. Seek the help of others.

Galations 6:2 NIV

“Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.”   

Christians are here to help one another. If you have a Christian friend or family member, talk to them. If you are not comfortable with them, go to your pastor or church counselor.

Conclusion

We only discussed 3 of the people who were lonely in the Bible. There are many more because loneliness is not for a privileged few. Everyone experiences times of loneliness.

We have a God who wants us to come to Him when we are lonely, distressed, and depressed. He knows we can be vunerable in our emotions.

He can and will help you, but you have to ask. God is not too big to help.

If you have a question, please comment below.