Man-forsaken, but never God-forsaken

Psalm 27:10
“When my father and mother forsake me, then the Lord will take me up.”

This Psalm is labeled as a Psalm of David – penned by King David, one of the most well-known, and probably well-loved, kings of Old Testament Israel. This Psalm has been of great comfort to me in recent weeks. Many times when I have felt overwhelmed and discouraged and sad I have come back to this Psalm and offered it back to God as a prayer. (Thanks Pastor Felber, for having us memorize this one, as a church, so many years ago!)

I find it very intriguing that this verse is even in the Bible. Often times I don’t think about the possibility that people in Old Testament days could have forsaken their children. I usually think of the mighty men and women of the Old Testament as having been pillars of faith and love and they “just didn’t do stuff like that.” Alas, they were human, too. And they probably did embarrass and upset their children just like parents do today. “No, you can’t go scoop the loop in the good chariot.” “No, you can’t go worship Baal with the Hezekiah kids, we’re going to see great-great-great-great-great grandpa Methuselah.” (Not shooting for Biblical accuracy here – just making a point.)

The definition of the word “forsake” (because, really, how often do you use the word “forsake” in every day conversation?) is: To quit or leave entirely; abandon; desert. To give up or renounce. Can you imagine what it would be like for your parents to leave, abandon, or desert you? To give you up or renounce you? That would have to be one of the most painful things for a child to endure – no matter what age the child is! I can’t imagine, not in the literal sense of this definition anyway.

I grew up having both of my parents around – and a multitude of other family members also. I lived with Mom and my brother and we got to see Dad most any time that we wanted. In that sense, my parents never deserted me. However, if you look beyond the literal definition – in the physical sense – of this word and think about the emotional and spiritual aspect of our lives; there is a whole other realm of possibilities for abandonment and desertion. I am here to tell you that this can, and does, happen. I am living proof of it! But God is good and His word promises that when this happens – when our family – our own flesh and blood – turns its back on us then He will be there to comfort us. He will lift us up on eagle’s wings (Isaiah 40:31) and give us the strength and support that our earthly family has failed to provide.

The whole point of all of this was not only to point out what the Bible says but to remind myself what it does not say. The Bible does not say: “When my father and mother forsake me then the Lord will let me pick new ones.” It does not say: “When my father and mother forsake me then the Lord will let me continue behaving as a child because no one wanted to teach me how to grow up.” I confess that this is difficult for me to accept. I have lived for a long time trying to move other people into the position of “parent” in my life instead of trusting in the Lord for my strength and growth. But that is not Biblical and it needs to stop. Part of my God-definition needs to be that I claim Him as my Father and stop trying to give that credit (and responsibility!) to anyone else. My growth comes from Him – not from mankind. He may choose to use people to communicate these truths to me but the message is ultimately from Him.

Heavenly Father, I bring your word back to you once again tonight: The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? When the wicked, even mine enemies and my foes, came upon me to eat up my flesh, they stumbled and fell. Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident. One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to enquire in his temple. For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me up upon a rock. And now shall mine head be lifted up above mine enemies round about me: therefore will I offer in his tabernacle sacrifices of joy; I will sing, yea, I will sing praises unto the Lord. Hear, O Lord, when I cry with my voice: have mercy also upon me, and answer me. When thou saidst, Seek ye my face; my heart said unto thee, Thy face, Lord, will I seek. Hide not thy face far from me; put not thy servant away in anger: thou hast been my help; leave me not, neither forsake me, O God of my salvation. When my father and my mother forsake me, then the Lord will take me up. Teach me thy way, O Lord, and lead me in a plain path, because of mine enemies. Deliver me not over unto the will of mine enemies: for false witnesses are risen up against me, and such as breathe out cruelty. I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord.