.png){kind=small}
Have you been in a situation where everything seems to be going wrong, and you don’t feel the presence of God at all? Well, you are not alone. Most of us have gone through similar situations.
King David prayed this way:
תהילים כ''ב:2
אֵלִ֣י אֵ֭לִי לָמָ֣ה עֲזַבְתָּ֑נִי רָח֥וֹק מִֽ֝ישׁוּעָתִ֗י
Psalm 22:1
My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? So far from my salvation?
Yeshua quoted and repeated David’s prayer when He was on the cross (Matthew 27:46, Mark 15:34). How could Yeshua say such a thing?
Not abandoned - It was not because God had forgotten about Yeshua or abandoned Him for no purpose. God never abandons us when we are faithful to Him. This abandonment was temporary for a purpose.
Prophecy fulfillment – Yeshua quoted Psalm 22, which describes the suffering of Messiah. Jewish people read Psalms in times of distress. Yeshua is identifying with and indicating to us that what happened to Him on the cross is a fulfillment of Psalm 22.
Test of obedience – The cross was a test of faith for Yeshua. Would He obey even during a time of being left alone? The nature of a test necessitates being left alone. See the example of Hezekiah (II Chronicles 32:31). Yeshua was passing His test on the way to receiving all authority (Philippians 2).
Encouragement to us – When going through difficult times, we may feel that God has forgotten about us. Knowing that Yeshua felt that way during the crucifixion can help us deal with our feelings. “If He felt that way, it’s understandable that I feel that way at times.”
Punishment for sin – Human sin turns us away from God. The punishment for sin is that very result: to be separated from God. Yeshua took that evil upon Himself to pay for our forgiveness. For our sake He had to experience separation from God.
Necessary to be killed – Scripture prophesies repeatedly that the Messiah had to die for us. If God did not remove His presence from Yeshua, then Yeshua could not have died. Being forsaken was the prelude to being killed, which in turn, saved us.
Warning of damnation – Total justice demands eternal punishment. God warns human beings, but we do not listen. God’s temporary forsaking of Yeshua is a warning sign that eternal abandonment is pending. The cross is a blaring siren to save us from damnation.
When everything seems wrong and we don’t feel the presence of God, that doesn’t mean that things won’t turn out well as a result. Often the best results come out of the worst situation. God is all-good, all-powerful, all the time.
What should we do in those times? Let’s follow Yeshua’s example. He rededicated His life to God – “in your hands I commit my spirit” (Luke 23:46; Psalm 31:5) and forgave those who had done him wrong – “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34).
We don’t have to try to change the situation. We must act correctly in the midst of it. Our response is the same: rededication and forgiveness. We trust that God is in control and entrust ourselves to Him. That gives God full place to work in our lives.
It is normal for a godly person living in an ungodly world to feel that everything is against him. In times of trial, one may not sense the presence of God. Yeshua told us that in the world we would have troubles, but to be encouraged, for He has overcome the world (John 16:33).
Shared Experience -
I find it a great comfort that Yeshua felt forsaken on the cross. This was the great moment in history when the love of God paid the price to redeem mankind. We are called to share experiences with God. What an amazing moment to “share” with Yeshua!
Think of the thief on the cross, who repented and asked to be with Yeshua in paradise. In essence, he was already with Yeshua. He was sharing the experience of the cross. That may have been the best spot in the whole world at any moment in history.
We are called to be crucified with Yeshua (Galatians 2:20) and to take up our cross daily (Luke 9:23). If you feel like crying, “My God, why have you forsaken me?” – share the experience with the Lord, and He will share it with you.
