“You have enclosed me behind and before, and laid Your hand upon me.” (Psalm 139:5)
Have you ever felt alone? I mean completely alone.
Abandoned. Lost. Forlorn.
I know that the isolating feelings that comes from facing my challenges sometimes leaves me feeling as if I am in the depths of some tremendous void. I have felt that no one understands. I have felt left behind as family and friends can go and do things I cannot. Their lives are moving forward. Mine is, at best, at a standstill. That leaves me feeling completely and utterly alone and often misunderstood.
I have had misguided folks tell me I need to look for sin in my life. I have had others say that I simply don’t have enough faith. To be honest, those types of comments make me want to run and hide.
Then I read a verse like this one. God has me enclosed. He is in front of me. He is behind me. He has His hand on me. I may feel as if I am alone and lost, but God tells me that He is always with me–and not only with me – but surrounding me, enclosing me, holding me. I cannot get away from Him, even if I tried.
The Psalm continues:
Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence?
If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.
If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea,
even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.(v. 7-10)
Oh, dear reader, how I need these words. I need to know God is not only “out there” somewhere–but that He is here. . . now. . .holding me, loving me, protecting me. Ever present. He offers that to You, as well.
Prayer: Father God, I praise You that You are an ever present help. That in good times, in bad times, and in the in-between times: You are here. I fervently pray, Lord, that each person looking upon these words, will look to You for all you have to give us when we abandon ourselves to You. Amen.
About the Author:
deni believes that the only true way to deal with chronic pain and chronic illness is to bring them to the feet of her Lord and Savior. Her multiple challenges (celiac sprue, atrial fibrillation, ankylosing spondylitis, to name a few) have taught her many things about herself and her Christian walk. It is her fondest prayer that some of her words might be encouraging to others as they walk the path of chronic illness. deni can be reached at http://www.pathwaysforchange.com/Encouragement
When you feel abandoned by God what do you do? Do you talk to someone, get angry at those around you? Go to church to look for the feeling of God’s presence?
Note: We are repeating some of our favorite devotionals this week from past years. This was originally written by deni in 2009.
deni, this is such a common challenge for most, if not all of us. That’s why reading devotionals such as this is so comforting. Just to know we’re not alone in how we feel.
What do I do when I feel abandoned by God? Not always the same thing. Sometimes I journal about how I feel and why, most often ending with a cry for help in prayer or an affirmation that I choose to trust His Word and not my feelings for the truth. I make being in this powerful Book a priority too.
Other times I sob, giving the tissue companies business. 😉 I may talk to a Christian sister and ask for prayer. And lately, though I haven’t really felt abandoned by God, just discouraged and depressed, I’ve been reading from one of my humour files.
Gentle hug,
Beth
In the 20 years I have lived in Charleston (SC), I have only been to the beach a handful of times. I know, what a waste. (grin) I knew a professor once who used to recommend what she called “Folly Beach therapy” – where you just go down to the beach and don’t try to think, just let the smell and the sound of the ocean bring life back into perspective.
I’m not able to do a lot of what I used to, even when I first moved here. That includes my tolerance for sunlight, which has gone from low to nearly nonexistent. So instead of the real beach, I use my imagination. It doesn’t have to be a beach – it can be whatever setting calms your spirit. Use all five senses and put yourself in whatever place that is. Then realize that wherever you just imagined, God is there. That’s the key. No matter how abandoned you *feel*, the reality of His presence trumps feeling.
It helps to have passages like Ps 139 at the ready so there is a place to stand. His Word is eternal truth, and it can help realign a spirit set out of whack by its accompanying body…
I love this Psalm. It is so encouraging. I just was feeling afraid last night because I may not get disability funds. I will have no income and my husband is on social security. When I asked God what to do I was led to Matthew 6:25-34. “Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness…” (v.33) In the kingdom is community with God and with the people of God. We are not alone. That is the fact that overcomes my feelings of despair! Thank you for the reminder. Prayers and Peace, Mona
Beth, Sharon, and Mona – Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts. It never ceases to amaze me the way we find the answers that we need in Scripture. They are so timely – and just waiting to be uncovered. Blessings on you all!
Deni,
I am in awe of the fact that God has enclosed me.
Thank you for sharing.
Daphne
http://blog.daphnewrites.com