Today’s reading:
Psalm 22:1-31
“My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from helping me, And from the words of my groaning?” (v. 1)
To “forsake” means: to desert; to abandon; to leave; depart from. To forsake another person is to leave or turn one’s back on him, especially at a time of need, or to renounce him. The most vivid example is of Jesus Christ, who was forsaken by God and mankind on the Cross at Calvary. Jesus was said, in Matt. 27:45 and Mark 15:33, to have cried out to God in Hebrew, but translated as “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me”. Incidentally, David in our Today’s reading in v1 was recorded to have made a similar cry to God. There are many circumstances in life that make one think he has been forsaken. These include; when left alone in sickness, when trapped, when there is no one around to help or assist or relieve from a situation, and so on.
In the scripture, some others who felt forsaken were: Joseph who was abandoned in a pit before being sold to slavery by his ten brothers; many of the prophets, especially Jeremiah and Ezekiel felt abandoned by men and even God during their ministries on earth. The situation of being forsaken is usually not pleasant at all. The example of David in our Today’s reading opens our eyes to such unpleasantness. He said he cried to God in the day time, but He did not hear and at night, he was not silent (v2). He felt and called himself a worm, not a man (v6); was ridiculed; said he was poured out like water and his bones were out of joint; and his heart was like wax that had melted within him (v14). He felt his strength dried up and his tongue clung to his jaws. He said God had brought him to the dust of death. It is important to mention that different reasons may result in one being abandoned by fellow men, but not God. These can include; sin, misconduct to others, jealousy, hatred and so on. Even though David felt he was forsaken by God, the fact was that he was not. This is because God never forsook the children of Israel in the Old Testament days. God had promised never to leave them nor forsake them (Deut. 31:8). This same promise of God was given to the Israelites as they were about to enter the promised land (Josh. 1:5). Gladly, the writer of the book of Hebrews, in Heb. 13:5 quoted this same verse to encourage believers in the first century church, and even today.
It is interesting to note that though David felt forsaken, yet within him, he knew he wasn’t. He recounted in vs 9-10 of our Today’s reading that God took him out of the womb, made him trust while on his mother’s breasts, that he was cast upon God from birth and from his mother’s womb God had been his God. No wonder he immediately started pleading with God not to be far from him for trouble was near, and there was none to help. He recounted the actions of the wicked/enemies against him in vs 7,12-13, 16-18, which include; ridicule, encirclement, gaping at like a raging lion, pierced hands and feet, his garments divided among them and lots cast for his clothing – similar to what Jesus experienced! Above all, in realisation of his knowledge that God does not forsake, David reverted to him and pleaded in vs 19-21 for deliverance, strength, safety and nearness of God. He further promised to praise him, worship, declare his name to his brethren and in the midst of the assembly, and also encouraged others to worship, remember and turn to God, and up to the next generation will declare his righteousness (vs 25-31). David also recounted God’s faithfulness towards his fore fathers (vs 3-5).
Though God does not forsake, yet it is wise to be on his side, in his camp, by accepting his Son, Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour. Many blessings accrue to those not forsaken which include: protection, deliverance, Joy, peace and so on.
CHRISTIE KUPOLUYI
To surrender your life to Christ, say this prayer aloud: “Father, I acknowledge my sin against you. I repent and ask for forgiveness in the name of Jesus. I surrender to the Lordship of Jesus. By the power of your Holy Spirit, take control of my heart and lead me in your path of righteousness. Thank you, Lord,”.
If you said the prayer, Congratulations! Prayerfully look for a living church and meet the resident pastor, priest, or reverend.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, we thank you for your loving kindness to mankind, including not forsaking us.
Lord Jesus, thank you for dying our death so that we are reconciled with God our Father.
Oh Lord, help us to live lives that will honour you and so have the benefits of not being forsaken in this world full of evil.
Father, help the church not to take you for granted because you never forsake.
Father, send revival to our land so that men will never think that you have forsaken them.
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