There are times in our lives when we feel that God has abandoned us. There are times when things get so overwhelmingly difficult, and we cry out to God, full of faith that He will answer, and nothing happens... Sometimes it actually gets worse… We feel as if God is not with us; as if He doesn’t love us and doesn’t care for us at all.
Does God really abandon us at times?
The Bible gives a clear answer to this question:
Deuteronomy 31:6 promises us: “Be strong and of a good courage, fear not… for the LORD thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.”
In Hebrews 15:3 we are reminded again of God’s words: “I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee”.
Numbers 23:19 tells us: “God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?”
Hebrewss 15:8 tells us: “Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever”
In other words, the Eternal Word of God reassures us that God is with us all the time…
Then why do we feel abandoned?
I hear many people talk about “God testing our faith”. I find that hard to digest… God knows our hearts; He has no need for tests. If our child cries out to us in pain, we don’t stand back and “test” his faith in us, do we? That would be considered cruelty. Is God cruel? Is His way so strict and harsh?
Many verses in the Bible talk about God’s merciful, gentle and loving character; for example:
Psalm 86:5: “For thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon thee.”
Psalm 100:5: “For the Lord is good, his mercy is everlasting.”
Psalm 103:8: “The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy.”
Psalm 145:9: “The Lord is good to all, and his tender mercies are over all his works.”
Jeremiah 33:11: “The LORD is good; for his mercy endureth for ever.”
Joel 2:13: “For he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness.”
2 Corinthians 1:3: “Blessed be God ... the Father of mercies.”
James 5:11: “For the Lord is very pitiful and of tender mercy.”
John 4:16: “God is love.”
I can’t imagine God, the Father of mercies, standing back to watch His children agonize, just so He can prove a point… Can you?
Then why does He seem to leave us alone?
I will continue this evening, so stay tuned… J
Have a wonderful day, full of Son-shine and hope!
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