Don’t Go Alone
August 4, 2024
Dr. Paul Cannings
“A man sprained his ankle and couldn’t travel. The party he was with had to go right on, but they left him with lots of food. He was left in isolation in a desert. All he had to do was keep quiet for three or four days. He showed up in civilization just about half crazy. His ankle was all inflamed. He said he’d rather have lost the whole leg than to have stayed in that desert another ten minutes. People can’t bear it because out there they are alone with their Maker.” – Albert Mygatt. (Tan, Paul Lee: Encyclopedia of 7700 Illustrations: A Treasury of Illustrations, Anecdotes, Facts and Quotations for Pastors, Teachers and Christian Workers. Garland, TX: Bible Communications, 1996, c1979
As much as people say they cannot stand being around people, they need people because this is how God designed them (Genesis 2:24-25; Ephesians 3:14-15). “Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. The one who does not love does not know God, for God is love.” (1 John 4:7-9 NASU)
“The story is told by the Persians of the great Shah Abbas, who reigned magnificently in Persia, but loved to mingle with the people in disguise. Once, dressed as a poor man, he descended the long flight of dark and damp stairs to the tiny cellar where the fireman, seated on ashes, was tending the furnace. The king sat down beside him and began to talk. At mealtime, the fireman produces some course, black bread, and a jug of water, and they eat and drink. The Shah went away but returned repeatedly, for his heart was filled with sympathy for the lonely man. He gave his sweet counsel, and the poor man opened his whole heart and loved this friend, so kind, so wise, and yet poor like himself.
At last, the emperor thought, “I will tell him who I am and see what gift he will ask.” So, he said, “You think me poor, but I am Shah Abbas, your emperor.” He expected a petition for something great, but the man sat silent. Gazing, he said, “Haven’t you understood? I can make you rich and noble, give you a city, and appoint you as a great ruler. Have you nothing to ask?” The man replied gently, “Yes, my lord, I understood. But what have you done to leave your palace and glory, sit with me in this dark place, partake in my coarse fare, and care whether my heart is glad or sorry? Even you can give nothing more precious. On others, you may bestow rich presents, but to me, you have given yourself; it only remains to ask that you never withdraw this gift to your friendship.” -A. Naismith (Tan, Paul Lee: Encyclopedia of 7700 Illustrations: A Treasury of Illustrations, Anecdotes, Facts and Quotations for Pastors, Teachers and Christian Workers. Garland TX: Bible Communications, 1996, c1979)
“Two are better than one because they have a good return…” (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12)