When We Feel Abandoned and Forgotten by God and Others

Nov 17

Nov 17 When We Feel Abandoned and Forgotten by God and Others

Devos and Studies, Psalms Devos_Studies, God's Word, Trust, Relationships, Faith

Will God Ever Abandon or Forget Us?

Abandonment is most often viewed in a negative way, and for good reason. No one wants to be forsaken or deserted. It brings a sense of emptiness and despair. And this can lead to depression and a sense of hopelessness.

When we think of abandoned children, our hearts go out to them. You may feel abandoned or betrayed and have some abandonment issues and fear being left alone.

And then, there are those who abandon and forsake others. We see them as betrayers and untrustworthy. When someone breaks our trust, it is difficult to trust again.

Sadly, it is easy to project our sense of abandonment onto God, as if He caused it or has forgotten or forsaken us. And yet, He spoke this promise through Moses—

“The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” (Deut 31:8 NIV)

Scripture

For the director of music. To the tune of “The Doe of Dawn.” A psalm of David.

My God, my God, why have you abandoned me? Why are you so far away from helping me, so far away from the words of my groaning? My God, I cry out by day, but you do not answer—also at night, but I find no rest.

Yet, you are holy, enthroned on the praises of Israel. Our ancestors trusted you. They trusted, and you rescued them. They cried to you and were saved. They trusted you and were never disappointed. [vss 1-5]

Yet, I am a worm and not a man. I am scorned by humanity and despised by people. All who see me make fun of me. Insults pour from their mouths. They shake their heads and say, “Put yourself in the Lord’s hands. Let the Lord save him! Let God rescue him since he is pleased with him!”

Indeed, you are the one who brought me out of the womb, the one who made me feel safe at my mother’s breasts. I was placed in your care from birth. From my mother’s womb you have been my God.

Do not be so far away from me. Trouble is near, and there is no one to help. Many bulls have surrounded me. Strong bulls from Bashan have encircled me. They have opened their mouths to attack me like ferocious, roaring lions. [vss 6-13]

I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint. My heart is like wax. It has melted within me. My strength is dried up like pieces of broken pottery. My tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth. You lay me down in the dust of death.

Dogs have surrounded me. A mob has encircled me. They have pierced my hands and feet. I can count all my bones. People stare. They gloat over me. They divide my clothes among themselves. They throw dice for my clothing. [vss 14-18]

Do not be so far away, O Lord. Come quickly to help me, O my strength. Rescue my soul from the sword, my life from vicious dogs. Save me from the mouth of the lion and from the horns of wild oxen.

You have answered me. [vss 19-21]

(Psalm 22:1-21 GW) [Context– Psalms 22]

Reflections and Insights

Notice how David relates to the Lord in such a personal way as he cries out, “My God, my God….” He relies on the trust of his forefathers, though he speaks of his dire situation. David’s confident pleas to the Lord alternate with his sense of abandonment.

By verse 22, the psalmist’s prayer has a confident tone. He even looks forward beyond God’s answer to his prayer, as seen in the ending line—

They will tell people yet to be born about his righteousness—that he has finished it. (Pss 22:31 GW)

What’s most amazing about this is that Jesus cries out the opening line of this psalm on the cross. Several lines of this psalm were fulfilled as Jesus hung on the cross, suffering and dying. [Matt 27:35-46; Mark 15:27-34; Luke 23:34-37; John 19:24, 32-34]

Jesus experienced a sense of abandonment by His Father on the cross, in His role as Savior of the world. And yet, he willingly abandoned Himself to His Father, as seen in the garden of Gethsemane (Matt 26:36-46).

Prophetically, King David's passionate prayer looks ahead to the last hours of the Lord Jesus on the cross. This psalm reveals how intimately God understands humanity's struggle with sin.

God has heard the deep cries of the human soul through Jesus—as God clothed in humanity (John 1:1, 14). Jesus uttered these words on the cross as a testimony of His identification with every point of our humanness.

The first half of this psalm expresses the anguish of the Lord on the cross. The second half reminds us of His victory over death through His resurrection. We see this clearly in the last verse of this psalm—“… He has finished it.” (see John 19:30).

David knew the Lord would be faithful, even when he felt abandoned. Jesus knew the Father’s will and purpose must be fulfilled. Each of us needs the same assurance in our hearts and minds in times of abandonment and uncertainty.

We need to be confident in the Lord and trust in Him despite our feelings and circumstances.

Digging deeper to Make it personal...

Review the Scriptures above as you consider the following questions

Who is the psalmist crying out to, and how would you describe his emotional plea?
What does King David base his trust on? What does he say about what others say about him?
What are some of the ways David describes his situation and condition?
What does he ask to be rescued from and from who? How does he express confidence in God?
Have you ever felt (or been) abandoned? Can you relate to the passionate prayer of King David?
Are there times when you've felt far from God? If so, how did you draw near to Him again?
Are you able to see how God understands the struggles you go through?
Do you or can you trust God beyond what your emotions tell you?