FORSAKEN?

In times of pain and suffering and injustice it is often easy to slide into the expanse of experience where “feelings” and subjective reactions rise above truth and discernment. In such a place, there can be a sensation of abandonment and loneliness, where we consider that God has left us, is not hearing us, has forsaken us. Some of us have been there, and even some of God’s best prophets sometimes succumbed to this as well. But “feeling” abandoned is not the same as “being” abandoned. God has gone nowhere! He is always true to His Word and repeats over and over in Scripture, to sinners, “I will never leave you or forsake you” Deut. 31:6,8; Joshua 1:5,9; Ps 94:14; 1Chron. 28:20.

Why then did Christ cry from the cross “ My God, My God why hast Thou forsaken me?” Mt.27:46

Some say God turned His Back on His suffering Son. Some say it was because God cannot look upon sin. Really? In this world, God continually looks on sin and has even dealt with Satan himself accusing the brethren day and night before God. “For this reason, rejoice, O heavens and you who dwell in them. Woe to the earth and the sea, because the devil has come down to you, having great wrath, knowing that he has only a short time.” Rev. 12:12; “Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan also came among them.” Job 1:6. Would a Holy God turn His back on His precious Holy Son? I don’t believe so. I believe Christ’s cry was not a statement of abandonment but a proclamation of His identity as The Messiah! I believe Christ was quoting from the first verse of the Messianic Psalm 22 of the Messianic Trilogy 22,23,24. The Jews memorized these psalms and understood their prophetic nature. In quoting Psalm 22, Jesus let them know He was The Promised One. They would recognize prophecy unfolding before them. Read Psalm 22 to see the amazing accuracy of what transpired at Christ’s crucifixion and in particular verse 24, “For He has not despised nor abhorred the affliction of the afflicted. Neither has He hidden His face from him. But when he cried to Him for help He heard him” Psalm 22 goes from suffering and pain to praise and thanksgiving because God has heard.

Isaiah wrote concerning Messiah, “ I gave My back to those who strike Me and My cheeks to those who pluck out the beard. I did not cover My face from humiliation and spitting. For the Lord God helps Me. Behold the Lord God helps Me.” Isaiah 50:6-7, 9. Jesus speaking to His disciples, regarding His crucifixion, said, “ You will all leave Me alone, yet I am not alone for My Father is with Me” John 16:32. Jesus stated, “ I and the Father are One” John 10:30. ( the Holy Trinity…three separate persons yet One). Abandonment would go against the very essence of God.

Christ paid an enormous price on the cross that day, as the overwhelmingly foul sin of the world was poured out on Him to purchase eternal life for us. He paid a debt He didn’t owe for a debt we couldn’t pay. Truth hung on the cross that day to obliterate the lies of Satan. Love hung on the cross that day to loudly proclaim victory for us. “It is Finished”…paid in full!! Christ and His Father had planned that day before creation and time began and every word Christ spoke from the cross was perfectly within that plan.

Do you ever feel alone, rejected, forsaken? I believe these are the times for us to recall the enormity of the extravagant sacrifice made for us so that we would never feel far from God!

“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;I have called you by name; you are Mine! When you pass through the waters, I will be with you.” Isaiah 43:1

“Do not fear for I am with you; do not look anxiously about you for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10

“I will NEVER leave you or forsake you!”

“Be strong and courageous, do not be afraid or tremble at them, for the Lord your God is the one who goes with you. He will not fail you or forsake you.” Deut. 31:6,8

“Make sure that your character is free from the love of money, being content with what you have; for He Himself has said, “I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you.” Heb. 13:5

“For the Lord loves justice
And does not forsake His godly ones;
They are preserved forever,
But the descendants of the wicked will be cut off.” Ps. 37:28

“For the Lord will not abandon His people, Nor will He forsake His inheritance.” Ps. 94:14

“As for me, I said in my alarm, ‘I am cut off from before Your eyes’; Nevertheless You heard the voice of my supplications when I cried to You.” Ps. 31:22

“In my distress I called upon the Lord,
And cried to my God for help;
He heard my voice out of His temple,
And my cry for help before Him came into His ears.” Ps 18:16

“Because he has loved Me, therefore I will deliver him;
I will set him securely on high, because he has known My name.
“He will call upon Me, and I will answer him;
I will be with him in trouble;
I will rescue him and honor him.
“With a long life I will satisfy him
And let him see My salvation.” Ps. 91:14-16

“Behold, an hour is coming, and has already come, for you to be scattered, each to his own home, and to leave Me alone; and yet I am not alone, because the Father is with Me.” Jn. 16:32