The Isolated Ones by F. M. W.

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jul 20, 1916

The Isolated Ones

By F. M. W.

MANY who enjoy church privileges from week to week cannot realize the loneliness and lack of association experienced by many of our isolated brethren and sisters throughout the field. Some of these live in rural homes widely separated from their fellows. Others live in the midst of great city centers, but quite as lonely in their spiritual isolation as their brethren in rural districts.

We know from years of experience what this isolation means, and how greatly these lonely ones long for the fellowship of those of like precious faith. But it is comforting to know that although this human fellowship is denied, divine fellowship may be enjoyed. The blessing of heaven is not dependent upon geographical location. The throne of grace is no nearer the centers of our work than the most remote outposts. Our workers out on the firing lines in China, India, Japan, and the islands of the sea have as ready access to the heavenly storehouse as do our brethren in Washington or Nashville or Loma Linda or Mountain View.

When the Lord scattered Israel of old among the countries, he declared, “Yet will I be to them as a little sanctuary in the countries where they shall come.” Eze. 11: 16. That promise is for Israel today. The home of every child of God may be made his sanctuary—God’s dwelling place. Indeed, the heart of every believer may become such a sanctuary. And if the heart is not the sanctuary, then the home cannot be.

Christ promised that the Holy Spirit should not only dwell with the believers, but that it should be in them. John 14: 17. In this close personal communion of the Holy Spirit with the believer is seen the wonderful provision which Christ made when he left this earth. He told his disciples that it was necessary for him to go away, and that the Comforter whom he would send would be able to do for them even more than he could do. Personally and physically Christ could dwell in only one place at a time, but his blessed Representative can fill every heart. In this communion may every believer rejoice. Let the scattered sheep of Israel feel that the Shepherd is near, even in the mountain fastnesses. He knows their struggles and trials and heart longings, and he stands ready to supply every need. The lonely ones can look forward to a glad reunion at the end of the journey. The Lord declares of these isolated ones: “I will even gather you from the people, and assemble you out of the countries where ye have been scattered, and I will give you the land of Israel.” Eze. 11: 17. “I will take you one of a city, and two of a family, and I will bring you to Zion.” Jer. 3:14.

The glad gathering day is fast hastening on. Soon the Master will call his people from earth’s remotest bounds to the glad and happy reunion around his throne, and from that blessed presence we shall go no more out forever. Let us stay our hearts upon God’s promises. Let us bear patiently the trials which his grace imposes, believing that out of those trials he will work that in our experiences which will redound to all eternity to his honor and glory and to our own happiness. F. M. W.