From ‘forsaken’ to ‘not forsaken’: A worthy voyage

Text: Isaiah 62: 4, 12

Introduction
Tourism is a desirable adventure, especially when one needs to visit an exciting and admirable site. Almost everyone would love to be part of such an experience. But there is a more valuable and rewarding journey that all men should be introduced to. Perhaps you have not heard about it till now. The journey described is from horrible to pleasant experience; from “forsaken” to “Not Forsaken.”

The tribe of Judah was once forsaken by Yahweh. They were rejected and abandoned. Although the people of Judah were God’s covenanted people and carried the prophetic destiny of the Messiah, yet they were forsaken by the covenant-keeping Father. What went wrong? The problem was not with God, but the erring nation. The period they were forsaken was horrible years. They suffered without any possible remedy until God came to their aid. Then they moved from being forsaken to being not forsaken. This article will examine what makes God forsakes His own, and what to be done to cross from being forsaken to not being forsaken.

Why God Forsake His Own
The Lord God had a special interest in Judah. They were people that enjoyed the covenant God established with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. It is obvious that God is interested in all human races. He created man in His image and clothe him with glory. The church represents the covenant family in the New Testament. Without a doubt, God has clothed the church with splendor. Therefore, God has the obligation to take full responsibility for the welfare of His covenant family.

When God forsakes a man, he will be left alone to run the course of his life by himself. God will no longer be responsible for the welfare of such an individual. What a horrible experience! He will not abandon anyone for no reason. But Zion said, “The LORD has forsaken me, And my Lord has forgotten me.” “Can a woman forget her nursing child, And not have compassion on the son of her womb? Surely they may forget, Yet I will not forget you. (Isaiah 49:14-15) If your experience suggests ‘forsaken’ by God, you need to check and identify what went wrong?

Sin factor: The principal thing that makes God forsakes His own is sin. Jesus was never a sinner, but while He bore the sins of the world on the cross, He cried, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken Me?” (Mark15: 34) When sin is entertained in a man’s life, he will be rejected and abandoned by God. As we approach another season of Christmas, would you check if you have been forsaken by God? Please ponder! (…to be continued)

Rev Abimbola Ogundare, Pastor, Peaceway Baptist Church, Ikotun
12/14 Audu Street, Governor Road, Ikotun, Lagos State.
+234-816-514-5307; +234-907-871-2107
peacewaybc@gmail.com; abimbolaogundare@yahoo.com