When All I Have is Jesus

A Biblical Counseling Series # 5

Rejection cuts deep whether it is a child, a spouse, a parent, or a love interest. Elisabeth Elliot writes of George Matheson in her book, “A Path Through Loneliness.” When George became blind, his fiancée broke off their engagement. Instead of becoming bitter, however, he lifted his blind eyes upward. He wrote a hymn that is still sung today.

Elisabeth writes, “His blindness and rejection proved to be for George Matheson the very means of illuminating the Love of God…Matheson turned his thoughts away from the woman he had lost, away from the powerful temptations to self-pity, resentment, bitterness toward God, skepticism of His Word, and selfish isolation which might so quickly have overcome him  and lifted his ‘weary soul’ to a far greater love—one that would never let him go.” (A Path Through Loneliness, Kindle Edition. 292).

This week I read through the Song of Solomon and was struck by the rejection the bride experienced from her family. She wrote: Look not upon me, because I am black, because the sun hath looked upon me: my mother’s children were angry with me; they made me the keeper of the vineyards; but mine own vineyard have I not kept.

Though rejected and misused by her family, a King set his eyes on her and gave her value and worth that those closest to her overlooked. He pursued her and delighted in her. He boldly proclaimed his love for her and brought her to his table.

He brought me to the banqueting house,
and his banner over me was love. Song of Solomon 2:4

He called her to come away with him.

My beloved spake, and said unto me,
Rise up, my love, my fair one, and come away. 2:10

The fig tree putteth forth her green figs,
and the vines with the tender grape give a good smell.
Arise, my love, my fair one, and come away. 2:13

He set his seal of love on her allowing nothing to diminish it.

Set me as a seal upon thine heart,
as a seal upon thine arm:
for love is strong as death;
jealousy is cruel as the grave:
the coals thereof are coals of fire,
which hath a most vehement flame.
Many waters cannot quench love,
neither can the floods drown it:
if a man would give all the substance of his house for love,
it would utterly be contemned. 8:6-7

It’s a beautiful love story, but why am I telling you about it? No King has ever pursued you, delighted in you, given you a home with him, and loved you like that.

Yet, He has.

King Jesus has set His eyes upon you. He pursues you and delights in you. He longs for you to know Him and come away with Him. He loves you so much, He would have died for only you. The seal of His Spirit will never leave you, and nothing you do will ever diminish His love for you.

What is more comforting than this kind of love that never changes? Often, we must come to a place of loneliness to accept the invitation that this King offers.

Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. Matthew 11:28-30

My friend, if you are experiencing rejection and loneliness, may I encourage you to accept the King’s invitation? He is as near as the pages of His Word and as ready to hear you speak to Him as a true friend’s listening ear would be. May you pour out your loneliness to the One who knows, sees, hears, and loves you with an everlasting love today.

Have a blessed weekend, my friends!

Erica B.