Relevant Life

e-Sword Psa 88:2  Let my prayer come into your presence. Turn your ear to hear my cries.

Have you ever felt abandoned? Abandoned by friends or relatives? Do you feel abandoned even now?

When I was in basic training, there was a Drill Sergeant who was an ex- youth pastor. He had become a godless man and spent much of his time trying to make my life miserable. He was often trying to get me to quit and give up. There were times where he would sit the soldiers down and tell offensive and perverted jokes. On one particular day; he sat us all down to tell us an offensive joke/story. Before he told the joke/story, he stated, “ If anyone does not want to hear or does not agree with these jokes/stories;you can get up now and leave.”

In front of a group of about 100 soldiers, I was the only person who stood up and left. I had to stand under an old pine tree waiting for the joke/story to end. I was let down not because I was embarrassed. I knew what this Drill Sergeant was doing; he was purposely trying to single me out from everyone else. I was more let down by the many soldiers, who I had personally led to the Lord, not stand up with me. They were too afraid of what others thought about them. They were too afraid to be alone or singled out. It was tough being the only one taking a stand and having your friends abandon me was not a great feeling.

The writer of Psalm 88 felt this loneliness and abandonment. In fact the whole chapter 88, is different than other chapters in Psalm. The chapter does not give praise to God for deliverance at the end.

e-Sword

Psa 88:3  My soul is filled with troubles, and my life comes closer to the grave.

Psa 88:4  I am numbered with those who go into the pit. I am like a man without any strength—

The writer gives a true account of how many us feel at times. One thing the writer does teach us. In the midst of abandonment, God is who we should turn to. God is the one we want our prayers to reach in His presence. Although the writer felt like his life was in ultimate darkness and despair; he still realized that God was His only hope. At our darkness moments, our God is there. At our times of true abandonment God is still there. Your darkness may still be present. Your abandonment may still be real. However, God is walking with you through it.

We want God to take away our trials and our pain instantly not realizing that the trials and the pain is how we become stronger. Knowing that He is with you in the fire makes a greater difference than wishing God would remove the fire. The miracle is not always doing away with the trails and tribulations. The miracle comes knowing that the miracle worker has all things handled. Knowing that He is the one who you can depend on when you are abandoned.

When everyone leaves; He does not. When everyone abandons you; He draws closer. When everyone leaves you in the darkness corner of your life; He was already waiting in the corner to bring you healing and comfort! When everyone leaves…. He has never left…..