"Nothing . . . in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 8:38"

Lying in an isolation room of a busy hospital, I felt abandoned by my family, my friends, and even by God. I had been hospitalized in an emergency and had nothing with me, not even pajamas. I felt afraid. Why couldn't I feel God's presence? I spotted a Bible and flipped it open to Psalm 22.

David, the great king and “a man after God's own heart” (1 Sam. 13:14, NIV), faced tremendous suffering with no apparent relief from God. His enemies surrounded him like a pack of dogs. Helpless and exhausted, all he could do was cry to God, "Why have you forsaken me?" (Ps. 22:1, NIV) Hundreds of years later, from the cross, Jesus, God's own Son, echoed those words. (Matt. 27:46, NIV).

David and Jesus both felt abandoned by God, so I guess it is OK for me to feel the same way. It is not a sin to feel depressed; nor is it a sin to feel abandoned, even by God. But God did not fail David or Jesus, and God will not fail us.

PRAYER: Dear God, when we feel alone and abandoned, thank you for the assurance that nothing can separate me from your love. Amen.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: Feelings may change, but God’s love for us is changeless.

PRAYER FOCUS: Those who feel abandoned by God.

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