Often in our situations in life, it is not so much what they make of us, but rather what we make of them. It has been said before, and truthfully, that the secret of a happy Christian pathway is to take our circumstances from the Lord and our difficulties to the Lord. This is true in every phase of our lives, and especially if we find ourselves alone. Do we react with resentment and self-pity, or do we take it as a gift from God, to be used for Him and His glory?
The Valley of Baca
In Psalm 84:66Who passing through the valley of Baca make it a well; the rain also filleth the pools. (Psalm 84:6) we read of those who, “passing through the valley of Baca, they make it a well-spring; yea, the early rain covereth it with blessings” (JND). The word “Baca” means “weeping” and aptly describes the difficult circumstances that sometimes come into our lives. The Lord does not condemn the weeping, for our Lord wept at the grave of Lazarus (John 11), and He understands our tears. But we notice here that there were those who made the valley of Baca into a well-spring. It was not naturally so, but rather a valley of weeping. Yet those who accepted it from the Lord were able to turn it around and make it a blessing. This can be done only in communion from the Lord and requires spiritual energy, for we are certainly no well-spring in ourselves. But we read in John 4:1414But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life. (John 4:14), “The water which I shall give him shall become in him a fountain of water, springing up into eternal life” (JND). More than this, we also read that “He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water” (John 7:3838He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. (John 7:38)). The new life within the believer, energized by the Spirit of God and using the Word of God, not only gives us a fountain of joy within, but also causes an outflow of blessing to others. God also adds His blessing from above to this, for He gives the rain that “covereth it with blessings.”
Substitute Companionships
Many young people today are lonely, and perhaps think that if only they could find a suitable partner, all would be well. This is evidenced by the vast numbers of people who use the Internet and other social media to seek for companionship. It is not wrong to wish for a companion, for it was God Himself who said, “It is not good that the man should be alone” (Gen. 2:1818And the Lord God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him. (Genesis 2:18)). Also, God Himself came down to commune with His creatures “in the cool of the day,” for He delighted to enjoy the fellowship of those whom He had created in His image and likeness. However, for us to look for our happiness in marriage when we are not happy in being single is usually to be disappointed. How often our unhappiness is rooted in self, and when the gratification of self is the basis on which we enter into marriage, it is a prescription for disaster. If we cannot overcome and enjoy a single life walking with the Lord, we will not find that marriage will solve the problem.
The Example of the Lord Jesus
In all of this we see the perfect example in the Lord Jesus. It was said prophetically of Him, “I watch, and am as a sparrow alone upon the housetop” (Psa. 102:77I watch, and am as a sparrow alone upon the house top. (Psalm 102:7)). He came into this world as the corn of wheat that must “fall into the ground and die” (John 12:2424Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit. (John 12:24)), but when He died, He brought forth “much fruit.” Although His life was spent amid crowds of people, healing, feeding and preaching, yet there was rarely one who entered into His thoughts and feelings and who had intelligent sympathy toward Him. Yet our Lord took this “valley of Baca” and did indeed make it a well-spring, culminating in His supreme sacrifice on Calvary’s cross. That well-spring has brought salvation to millions, and the blessing will flow for all eternity.
That work on the cross has purchased His bride for Him, yet He has waited nearly 2000 years while that bride is being called out of this world. He too is patient, waiting for that bride to be complete, so that He can come and receive her to Himself. Surely His desire to have us there far exceeds our desire to be there, and God would have us to know something of this. Paul could wish for the Thessalonians that the Lord would direct their hearts “into the love of God, and into the patience of the Christ” (2 Thess. 3:55And the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God, and into the patient waiting for Christ. (2 Thessalonians 3:5) JND). To know something of His heart and the longing with which He waits for the fulfillment of His desire is to take us out of ourselves and to see eternal realities from God’s side. To see our experience down here in the light of eternity gives a perspective that ministers peace and rest to our souls. He wants to give us His peace — the peace that accepted all from the Father and sought only to do the Father’s will. It was the doing of His Father’s will—and to be able to go back to heaven having done so—that was the “joy that was set before Him” (Heb. 12:22Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. (Hebrews 12:2)). We too can have that same joy, for the Lord’s pathway in this sense is an example for us.
The Millennial Example
In the millennial day God will indeed be “a father of the fatherless, and a judge of the widows.” He also “setteth the solitary in families” (Psa. 68:5-65A father of the fatherless, and a judge of the widows, is God in his holy habitation. 6God setteth the solitary in families: he bringeth out those which are bound with chains: but the rebellious dwell in a dry land. (Psalm 68:5‑6)), or “maketh the solitary to dwell in a home” (footnote, JND). If God will do this for His earthly people in a coming day, surely He is able to make it up to those of His church who, in the world of today, find themselves deprived of natural relationships that they would love to enjoy. He may not always provide the human substitute for what is lacking, but His presence is always blessing. “Because thy loving-kindness is better than life, my lips shall praise thee” (Psa. 63:33Because thy lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise thee. (Psalm 63:3)).
The joy of being a spiritual parent to others (brother, sister, son, daughter — whatever relationship may be possible) can be a wonderful and blessed experience.
However, in the final essence, our hearts ought to be able to ask the Lord how we can glorify Him in whatever situation we find ourselves. If our motive is to give Him joy, we need not be concerned about our own happiness, for He will look after that for us.
W. J. Prost