God sets the solitary in families; He brings out those who are bound into prosperity… Psalm 68: 6, NKJV.
Dear LORD, it is wonderful to know that You are constantly looking out for those who have no one to care for them. As we enter the study of your Word, may our hearts be softened toward those who are alone in this world; for Christ’s sake. Amen.
The word solitary is closer related to the word alone, than to the word lonely! Some definitions actually sound as if the solitary person, is alone by choice. However, because we know that God does not impose His will on us; it stands to reason, that if He sets the solitary in families, it is because they are willing, but unable, to include themselves. For this reason, we the church, can be used by God, to include those who are alone in the world, into the family of God.
Our society has done much to encourage the “solitary” situation of many. We have become enclosed in a very unhealthy individualism, that excludes all those who do not think like us, or, do not enjoy a social standing similar to ours. This is one definition I found of the word individualism: “pursuit of personal goals: the pursuit of personal happiness and independence rather than collective goals or interests” Encarta.
If we should compare this definition with the description of the lifestyle of the early believers, we would find a great disparity! This is what we read in the Bible, “Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need… And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved” (Acts 2: 44, 45, 47).
It was in an atmosphere of love, and acceptance, and kindness, that the Lord “set the solitary.” And it is in this kind of atmosphere that He wants to set them today! One in which people care about what happens to each other! There is nothing wrong with taking care of our individual families. What is wrong with individualism; is that for the person existing in this mode, that is the only thing that is important! It is the mindset that is defective; not the individual acts! There are many who have done, and are doing, an excellent job of taking care of their individual families. God expects this of us! Yet their hearts are open to the needs of others. They do not exist in a vacuum!
Yes my friend, today God is searching for families in which to place solitary people. He wants to bring them to make our acquaintance. Our churches would be wonderful places for us to meet these people and get to know them. Our churches can be safe places, where we can share the love of Christ, and help many souls to become first class citizens, instead of the outcasts of society. We can be the instruments in the hands of God to break the chains that have many of them bound in a vicious circle. Perhaps we can help them to take their first steps in the direction of prosperity! Are we willing to open our hearts, as well as our churches, to these people, and love them into the kingdom of God?
If Jesus was to visit the church you attend, and the church I attend; would He feel that it was a safe place to set some solitary soul ?