I Am Abandoned; God Is Awake!

August 29, 2024

I Am Abandoned; God Is Awake!

Being responsible for the health care provided to my wife’s two brothers has once again reminded me of the difficulties involved in moving from a home of 45 years to a nursing home. 

The down-sizing of personal belongings, household items, and tools used in a career is painful.

The disposal of furniture, equipment, and a house takes more energy than a person often possesses.

The consolidation of bank accounts, changes in insurance policies, and closing of utility company accounts is a hassle.

But, what is even more difficult is moving to a nursing home when you have no friends or family nearby.  Of course, you can feel lonely, sad, and even afraid.  You can also feel pushed to the side, discarded, and even abandoned.

It is natural to wonder if anyone still cares other than the ones who are providing nursing care, cleaning the room, or preparing the meals.  It is also normal to wonder if God still cares. 

We begin to question whether the Lord knows what we are experiencing, how we are feeling, or what we need.  The prayer in Psalm 22 expresses some of our feelings of being abandoned, rejected, and forgotten. 

In Psalm 22:1-2 we hear; “My God, my God, why have you deserted me?  Why are you so far away?  Won’t you listen to my groans and come to my rescue?  I cry out day and night, but you don’t answer, and I can never rest.”   

Maybe the Lord God has forgotten about me.  Maybe the Lord God does not care about me.  Maybe the Lord God does not have time for me.  Maybe the Lord God is just taking a nap.  There are times when these thoughts cross the minds of God’s people.     

In Psalm 121:3-4 (CEV) we hear; “The Lord is your protector, and he won’t go to sleep or let you stumble.  The protector of Israel doesn’t doze or ever get drowsy.”  Obviously, there were people of faith who felt as if the Lord God had dosed off. 

+We can feel God is taking a nap when our circumstances are not getting any better.

+We can feel God is dozing when our prayers seem to go unanswered.

+We can feel God is nodding off when we are convinced we have been abandoned, rejected, or forgotten.

When you feel abandoned you want to know (in both your head and heart!) that the Lord God is not taking a nap.  You want to know the Lord is paying attention to you, cares about you, and listens to your prayers.

A little later in Psalm 22, the Psalmist turns from his feelings of being abandoned to his faith in the Lord God.  In Psalm 22:19 (CEV) he prays; “Don’t stay far away, Lord!  My strength comes from you, so hurry and help.”  When we feel forgotten, pushed aside, and rejected we need the Lord God to hurry up and help now.  There is no time for the Lord to take a nap.

Then the Psalmist shares his confidence in prayer.  In Psalm 22:24 (CEV) we hear; “When I cried out, he (the Lord God) listened and did not turn away.”  When we feel discarded, deserted, or dumped we need to know the Lord God is listening to us, cares about us, and will help us.

Even when we get stuck in feeling sorry for ourselves, the Lord God does not give up on us.  Psalm 121 opens up with confident words of a person with deep faith in God.  In Psalm 121:1-2 (CEV) we hear; “I look to the hills!  Where will I find help? It will come from the Lord, who created heaven and earth.”

When I feel abandoned, my help comes from the Lord God.

When I feel rejected, my help comes from the Lord God.

When I feel pushed to the side, my help comes from the Lord God.

When I feel betrayed, my help comes from the Lord God.

When I feel forgotten, my help comes from the Lord God.

When I feel deserted, my help comes from the Lord God.

When I feel distant from God, my help comes from the Lord God.

When I feel unheard by God, my help comes from the Lord God.

When I feel unnoticed by God, my help comes from the Lord God.

Your help and hope as well as your strength and courage are found in Jesus.  Even when you feel cast aside or abandoned, Jesus is your friend, your Savior, and your Lord.  Turn to Jesus again and again and again even when you wonder if Jesus is taking a nap. 

In John 6:37 (ESV) Jesus says; “All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out.”  Even when you feel abandoned, God is awake!  Even when you feel God is distant, Jesus will never push you away! 

The Lord God is paying attention to you.  The Lord God is awake.  The Lord God loves you and understands you.  Invite Jesus to fill your heart and mind and soul with more and more delight in the Lord God.   

Take Delight In The Lord!

Doug