ALONE BUT NOT ALONE.

*WISDOM FOR TODAY.*

*ALONE BUT NOT ALONE.*

*Scripture Treasure.*

Genesis 32:24-32

*And Jacob was left alone; and there wrestled a man with him until the breaking of the day.*

*And when he saw that he prevailed not against him, he touched the hollow of his thigh; and the hollow of Jacob's thigh was out of joint, as he wrestled with him.*

*And he said, Let me go, for the day breaketh. And he said, I will not let thee go, except thou bless me.*

*And he said unto him, What is thy name? And he said, Jacob.*

*And he said, Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel: for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed.*

*And Jacob asked him, and said, Tell me, I pray thee, thy name. And he said, Wherefore is it that thou dost ask after my name? And he blessed him there.*

*And Jacob called the name of the place Peniel: for I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved.*

*And as he passed over Penuel the sun rose upon him, and he halted upon his thigh.*

*Therefore the children of Israel eat not of the sinew which shrank, which is upon the hollow of the thigh, unto this day: because he touched the hollow of Jacob's thigh in the sinew that shrank.*

*Insight and Highlight.*

Jacob was left alone but was not idle.

*Scripture Commentaries.*

Jacob here teaches us several things when the believer finds himself alone.

He was alone but chose not to be lonely.

The scripture tells us how Jesus

intentionally withdrew to lonely or solitary places to pray, rest, and commune with God the Father (Matt 14:13, 23, Luke 5:16, 6:12, Mk 1:35, 6:46; 14:32).

The Lord found time to be alone with God "*....very early in the morning”... and in the “evening....”* and *".....even all night..."*.

In Gen 32:24, Jacob was left alone.

What do you do when you are left alone?

How do you handle moments that tend to present itself as idle moments?

People do strange things when they are alone.

Being 'left alone' or finding 'oneself alone' can be one of the most dangerous moments if it is not well handled.

There is a famous quote that goes "An idle mind is the devil's workshop" or "idle hands are the devil's workshop/playground.

This means inactivity lead to sinful thoughts. When you engage in some activities, the devil will find you busy.

Sin thrives in loneliness

While sin can thrives when you are alone, it can be worse when you are lonely.

Sin thrives in secrecy because a lonely heart may not have anyone to share secret with.

Sin may thrive in secrecy in people who withdraw themselves away preferring to be alone.

People who choose to withdraw themselves are encouraging loneliness.

People who are alone can avoid loneliness when they engage and or invite God into their situations.

Do not allow your lonely moments to be loneliness and/or unguarded moments.

Your lonely moments will be unguarded moments when the devil takes advantage of your loneliness with evil thoughts

Jacob engaged himself in prayers in his lonely time.

He drew God's attention and God was drawn to his situation.

He was left alone but found company for himself through prayers.

Jacob was left alone but was not idle. The atmosphere he created for himself was too hot and dangerous for Satan to perform his enterprise.

Rather than be a devil's workshop he engaged with God.

You can not be distracted when you are lonely.

Lonely moments are powerful moments to be one on one with God.

*Remorse corner.*

Are you alone or you find yourself alone?

Engage with God like Jacob did.

*Call to Word action.*

Lonely times are times to be alone with God.

*The Christian clarion duty.*

Lonely moments are opportunities to invite God.

*Prayer.*

Lord, let me not be alone in my lonely times. Let me engage You in my lonely times in Jesus name.

Good morning all and have a blessed day.

God bless you.

Shalom.