RTW 2023

My God, my God, why have you abandoned me? Why are you so far away when I groan for help?

Psalm 22:1

“To be forsaken means to have the light of God’s countenance and the sense of his presence eclipsed, which is what happened to Jesus as he bore the wrath of God against sin for us.” – James Boice

Sometimes it seems:

• He is far, but He isn’t.
  The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.
  Psalm 34:18 (NIV)

• He has forsaken us, but He hasn’t.
  Don’t love money; be satisfied with what you have. For God has said, I will never fail you. I will never abandon you.
  Hebrews 13:5

• He’s late, but He isn’t.
  “He said to them: ‘It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority.’”
  Acts 1:7 (NIV)

• He isn’t working, but He is.
  But Jesus replied, “My Father is always working, and so am I.”
  John 5:17

So, what does one do, with all these being true? What does one do?
James 4:7-10 AMPC

• Subject yourself to God and resist the devil.
  So be subject to God. Resist the devil [stand firm against him], and he will flee from you.
  James 4:7 (AMPC)

• Come close to God thought confession
  Come close to God and He will come close to you. [Recognize that you are] sinners, get your soiled hands clean; [realize that you have been disloyal] wavering individuals with divided interests, and purify your hearts [of your spiritual adultery]. [As you draw near to God] be deeply penitent and grieve, even weep [over your disloyalty]. Let your laughter be turned to grief and your mirth to dejection and heartfelt shame [for your sins].
  James 4:8-9 (AMPC)

• Humble yourself to God and allow Him to lift you up.
  Humble yourselves [feeling very insignificant] in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you [He will lift you up and make your lives significant].
  James 4:10 (AMPC)

Yes! Yes! Yes! God is greater than my feelings.

Even if we feel guilty, God is greater than our feelings, and he knows everything.
1 John 3:20

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I never noticed the similarities.

My God, my God, why have you abandoned me? Why are you so far away when I groan for help?
Psalm 22:1

Then at three o’clock Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?” which means “My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?”
Mark 15:34

Notice the similarities?

Have you ever said these or similar words?

God will never forsake us, because He forsook His Son for our sake, however, we may feel far from God.

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Repeat: God will not ever forsake me.