Why Have You Abandoned Me?

WHY HAVE YOU ABANDONED ME?

a prayer to open

In the midst of my pain, Lord, I cry out to you.

When darkness sets in and I can’t see the light,

lead me in the way of hope, and fill my heart with joy.

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 I lift 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!”

Yet you brought me safely from my mother’s womb

and led me to trust you at my mother’s breast.

I was thrust into your arms at my birth.

You have been my God from the moment I was born.

Do not stay so far from me,

for trouble is near,

and no one else can help me.

Jesus uttered the first line of this psalm on the cross. Having only ever experienced full communion with the Father and the Spirit, Jesus felt forsaken and alone. Though he suffered physically, emotionally, and relationally as he made his way to the cross, this sense of abandonment by the Father and Spirit must have been the darkest, most terrifying moment. And yet, for us, this is the beginning of restoration and hope. By overcoming darkness and death, Jesus gave us light and life. When we feel alone and abandoned, we must remember what’s true: Because of Jesus, we are not far from God. In fact, as Paul said, our very lives are “hidden with Christ in God” (Colossians 3:3).

• Review the first verses of today’s reading. In what area of your life do you feel most alone? What would not being alone look like?
• Now review the next verses. What do you know to be true of God and how he has acted throughout history and in your life?
• Finally, review the last verses. How are you longing to experience God right now? Express your desire to him, remembering that you are in his loving presence whether you sense it or not.

Do not stay so far from me, loving God.

Draw near; come close.

No one else can help me.

You have been my God from my beginning.