SEPTEMBER 16, 2015
Feeling Forsaken
My
God, my God, why have you forsaken me? — Matthew 27:46
Read:
Psalm
22:1-21
In his book The Screwtape Letters, C. S. Lewis
records an imaginary conversation between a senior devil and a junior devil as
they discuss how to properly tempt a Christian. The two devils desired to
destroy the believer’s faith in God. “Be not deceived,” the senior devil says
to the junior. “Our cause is never more in jeopardy than when a human . . .
looks round upon a universe in which every trace of [God] seems to have
vanished, and asks why he has been forsaken, and still obeys.”
The Bible gives us many examples of people who
acted with faith despite their feelings of abandonment. Abram felt that God’s
promise of an heir had gone unheeded (Gen. 15:2-3). The psalmist felt ignored
in his trouble (Ps. 10:1). Job’s troubles were so great that he thought God
might even kill him (Job 13:15). And Jesus from the cross cried out: “My God,
my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Matt. 27:46). Yet in each instance God was
shown to be faithful (Gen. 21:1-7; Ps. 10:16-18; Job 38:1–42:17; Matt.
28:9-20).
Although Satan may try to tempt you to think
you are forsaken, God is always near. He never forsakes His own. “God has said,
‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you’ ” (Heb. 13:5). We may boldly
say, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid” (v. 6).
Lord, although clouds and darkness sometimes shroud me, I
know that You are close by my side. Thank You.
God is always near in spite of our fears.
Source: Our Daily Bread 2015