"But all this has taken place that the Scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled." Then all the disciples left him and fled.   Matthew 26:56 (ESV)

"He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not." (Is. 53:3)

Introduction - Pandemic Fatigue

Fallen Condition Focus: Loneliness is an ache in our hearts caused by the absence of love, especially the awareness of God's presence and love. It is a result of our distance from God because of sin. 

Sermon Proposition: Since the Son of God came to carry us even in the depths of loneliness and to make known God's love, we ought to trust in his grace by pouring out our feelings to him in prayer and listening for his healing Word. 

A. What God has done in Christ 

"Listen to me, O house of Jacob, all the remnant of the house of Israel, who have been borne by me from before your birth, carried from the womb; even to your old age I am he, and to gray hairs I will carry you. I have made, and I will bear; I will carry and will save." (Is. 46:3-4).

 Through the incarnation God has come to us, to carry us

 Poem "Footprints in the Sand"

B. What we must do

1. Pour out our souls to the Lord by sharing our emotions and feelings with God in prayer

"Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before him; God is a refuge for us."   Psalm 62:8 (ESV)

Peter Scazzero, Emotionally Healthy Spirituality

2. Listen to God's response in his Word during times of solitude and silence

"For God alone my soul waits in silence; from him comes my salvation."   Psalm 62:1

Conclusion and Call to Respond