Have you ever felt, forlorn, forsaken, forgotten? If so:

1. Consider Jesus: "He cometh unto the disciples, and findeth them asleep, and saith, . . . What, could ye not watch with me one hour?" (Matt. 26:40) "Then the disciples forsook him and fled" (Matt. 26:56). "From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him" (Jn. 6:66). You may not deserve it when some turn their backs on you. Did Jesus?

2. Consider Paul: "All they which are in Asia (are) turned away from me" (2 Tim. 1:15). "At my first answer no man stood with me, but all men forsook me" (2 Tim. 4:16). The next time you feel "left out," ask yourself this question, "If even the great apostle was forsaken, why should I be surprised when it happens to me?"

3. Consider David: David's son, Absalom, led a treasonous revolt and rebellion against his own father (2 Sam. 15)! To be deserted by one's family is an awful burden, but "when my father and mother forsake me, then the Lord will take me up" (Psa. 27:10). Remember, too, "He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me" (Matt. 10:37).

4. Consider Job: "My brethren (are) far from me, and mine acquaintance are verily estranged from me. My kinsfolk have failed, and my familiar friends have forgotten me . . . . they whom I have loved are turned against me" (Job 19:13-19). Have you suffered the loss and agony that Job endured? Neither have I. When I feel sorry for myself and complain, I feel ashamed of myself when I think of poor Job. How about you?

Conclusion

Loneliness and sorrow affect us all. When we feel abandoned, let us recall that better and greater saints have suffered much more than have we. Also, we are never truly alone, "for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee" (Heb. 13:5). "Wherefore comfort one another with these words" (1 'Mess. 4:18).

Left Behind

To the world he was gracious and kind

But his family. loving and true,

Never seemed to enter his mind;

There was so much to attend to,

So, they were left behind.

The store of his faith never grew,

And from neglect became benign.

"Just so mane things' to see and do"

"Thus, belief, too eras left behind.

Years and old age were not his design

Death. and eternity never came to mind

So when neighbors claimed his body

He awoke m darkness to find

That God judged the soul he left behind

Guardian of Truth XXXIX: 8 p. 3
April 20, 1995