We sometimes may feel that God has forgotten us. We think that He has left us to bear our trials on our own. Perhaps at first, when we face a difficulty, we rally like good soldiers, and we resolve to march out against the distressing situation under the banner of trusting in our God, because we have believed His word that He will fight for us. We feel certain that with the right attitude and earnest faith, defeat of our "enemy" is imminent.
But time passes. And then more time passes. And fight as we might, nothing seems to change. The days wear on, and we grow weary. We begin to lose our nerve, and our stamina. We are now threatened, even more perhaps than by the trial's severity, by its longevity. Questions stab into our hearts like fiery darts: "Why would God let me suffer so long?"...."Has He forgotten me?"..."Has my seeking to live for Him been in vain, after all?"
But time passes. And then more time passes. And fight as we might, nothing seems to change. The days wear on, and we grow weary. We begin to lose our nerve, and our stamina. We are now threatened, even more perhaps than by the trial's severity, by its longevity. Questions stab into our hearts like fiery darts: "Why would God let me suffer so long?"...."Has He forgotten me?"..."Has my seeking to live for Him been in vain, after all?"
We are not the first ones to ask those questions. Long ago the children of Israel were convinced the Lord had forgotten and forsaken them, but the Lord affirmed to them that was something He could not do. He asked of them a rhetorical question regarding whether a nursing mother could forget her child. Even though very unlikely and against nature, some human mothers might. Yet, God said of Himself in comparison, "I will not forget you. I have even graven your name upon the palm of My hand, you are continually before Me" (Isaiah 49:15-16). In the midst of a long trial, it comes easily to us to wonder if we have fought in vain to "keep the faith." But here again is assurance: "I said not unto the seed of Jacob, Seek Me in vain" (Isaiah 45:19). (In other words, God didn't call them to a fruitless service, saying 'Seek Me for nothing - as if I've told you to ask something of Me that I really don't plan to give.' But instead, 'I speak in truth and righteousness: I promise you a just reward.') "Remember,...you will not be forgotten of Me" (Isaiah 44:21).
If we find ourselves in an agonizing place of seeming abandonment, and cry out to God in anguished prayer, we can remember that there is Someone who knows exactly how we feel. God the Father has heard that cry from his own Son - on the cross. Ponder, then, dearly beloved, afflicted one, this amazing fact: The Father deliberately turned His back on His own Son, so that He would never have to turn His back on us.
And therefore, you and I can patiently endure, for surely He will "...be with you, and will keep you..., and will bring you into the land...that He has spoken to you of." (Genesis 28:15). He has told us, "I will never leave you nor forsake you" (Hebrews 13:5). Interestingly, the original Greek uses five negatives, and can thus be rendered, "I will not, I will not leave thee; I will never, never, never forsake thee." The words could not be better arranged to express stronger consolation and confidence. Hold on to this precious promise of the unchangeable goodness and friendship of God toward you, all you who put your trust in Him! Although our eyes may not see it now, the one who trusts in Him will be blessed! He who is the rock of our strength, the Rock of ages, promises us: "I will not in any way fail you, nor give you up, nor leave you without support. I will not (I will not, I will not) in any degree leave you helpless, nor forsake you, nor let you down, nor relax My hold on you - assuredly not" (Hebrews 13:5 Amplified Bible).
If we find ourselves in an agonizing place of seeming abandonment, and cry out to God in anguished prayer, we can remember that there is Someone who knows exactly how we feel. God the Father has heard that cry from his own Son - on the cross. Ponder, then, dearly beloved, afflicted one, this amazing fact: The Father deliberately turned His back on His own Son, so that He would never have to turn His back on us.
And therefore, you and I can patiently endure, for surely He will "...be with you, and will keep you..., and will bring you into the land...that He has spoken to you of." (Genesis 28:15). He has told us, "I will never leave you nor forsake you" (Hebrews 13:5). Interestingly, the original Greek uses five negatives, and can thus be rendered, "I will not, I will not leave thee; I will never, never, never forsake thee." The words could not be better arranged to express stronger consolation and confidence. Hold on to this precious promise of the unchangeable goodness and friendship of God toward you, all you who put your trust in Him! Although our eyes may not see it now, the one who trusts in Him will be blessed! He who is the rock of our strength, the Rock of ages, promises us: "I will not in any way fail you, nor give you up, nor leave you without support. I will not (I will not, I will not) in any degree leave you helpless, nor forsake you, nor let you down, nor relax My hold on you - assuredly not" (Hebrews 13:5 Amplified Bible).