Have You Felt Abandoned?

Prayer – Lord, You have promised to never abandon me…and I hold You to that promise. You felt abandoned while You hung on the cross—but I hope to never have to feel that because on that cross You paid the price for my sin…and all the people everywhere throughout history. What an awesome gift. Freedom from sin—guilt removed. My heart rejoices and I know that I will be filled with joy…forever. Thank you…thank you…thank you! I continually seek You and I praise You today…and always. You are so worthy of praise. Please continue to reveal Yourself to me…showing me something in Psalm 22 that I have never seen before. Please bless those who struggle with life…and especially the families and friends of those who will be coming Home to You soon. Give them strength and peace. They trust You.

Jesus on the Cross
Holy Family Shrine - Nebraska
My God...why have you abandoned me?

My God, my God, why have you abandoned me? Why are you so far away when I groan for help? Every day I call to you, my God, but you do not answer. Every night you hear my voice, but I find no relief. Yet you are holy, enthroned on the praises of Israel. Our ancestors trusted in you, and you rescued them. They cried out to you and were saved. They trusted in you and were never disgraced. But I am a worm and not a man. I am scorned and despised by all! Everyone who sees me mocks me. They sneer and shake their heads, saying, "Is this the one who relies on the LORD? Then let the LORD save him! If the LORD loves him so much, let the LORD rescue him!" ... The poor will eat and be satisfied. All who seek the LORD will praise him. Their hearts will rejoice with everlasting joy. The whole earth will acknowledge the LORD and return to him. All the families of the nations will bow down before him. For royal power belongs to the LORD. He rules all the nations. Let the rich of the earth feast and worship. Bow before him, all who are mortal, all whose lives will end as dust. Our children will also serve him. Future generations will hear about the wonders of the Lord. His righteous acts will be told to those not yet born. They will hear about everything he has done. Psalm 22:1-8, 26-31 (Read all of Psalm 22.)

 

Meditate. Consider what Jesus did for you on that cross.

 

Have you ever felt abandoned…abandoned by God? Abandoned by anyone? That is how Jesus felt while He hung on the cross—carrying the weight of the whole world’s sin…all alone. No one was there to rescue Him. Alone and rejected.

 

This Psalm is thought to be depicting Jesus on the cross since He quoted the first couple of verses as He actually hung on the cross. It must have been excruciatingly painful—physically and spiritually. Doctors have studied and reported the agonizing effects of crucifixion on the body. Additionally, Jesus felt rejected by His own Father…our Heavenly Father. What a plan! Here’s my Son—let Him be the sacrifice so that mankind can be holy and pure. It was a glorious plan…and Jesus fulfilled it. As recorded in John 19:30, His last words were…It is finished. Not only was His work on earth complete…His job was done—but all mankind was saved for eternity…if they believed and lived an obedient life. It is exciting that David recognized and wrote about future generations hearing about the Lord. Babes in arms to teens leaving for college—that is a good place to begin to hear of the wonders—the healings, the miracles, and the obedient life of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. He will never abandon us—He promised. He always and obediently keeps His promises. If you don’t know Jesus…seek Him. If you don’t know Jesus, have you felt abandoned?

 

Verses of Salvation ~ Hear me as I pray, O LORD. Be merciful and answer me! My heart has heard you say, "Come and talk with me." And my heart responds, "LORD, I am coming." Do not turn your back on me. Do not reject your servant in anger. You have always been my helper. Don't leave me now; don't abandon me, O God of my salvation! Psalm 27:7-9

 

Memory Verse of the Week ~ But now, O Jacob, listen to the LORD who created you. O Israel, the one who formed you says, "Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you. I have called you by name; you are mine.” Isaiah 43:1

 

© 2022 Text, photos, and illustrations by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved. 

All scripture quoted from the New Living Translation (NLT) unless otherwise noted. 

New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. 

Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Biblical search from Blue Letter Bible - http://v3.blueletterbible.org/search.cfm. 

 

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