Eloi, lama sabahthani?' Which means, 'My God, my God,
Why have you forsaken me?'" Matthew 27:46
I received a letter the other day from a man who described his painful feelings of separation from the Lord. He was a strong believer, but because of a death in his family he felt as though God had forsaken him. This man was ashamed and upset with his emotions, trying desperately to feel connected with the Lord. He said in his note, "Joni, I don't know if I'll ever be able to experience closeness to God again."
I put down his letter and recalled those dark times when I, too, felt like God was far away. It's frightening to feel that the Lord has turned His back on you. But if you've ever experienced that dark emptiness, you've not alone.
Jesus felt the same way. There was a time when the Son of God Himself was unable to experience closeness with His Father. It happened on the cross. And when He felt separated, He cried out, "My God, why have you forsaken me?
It's hard to explain, but I draw comfort from the knowledge
That even Jesus was unable at least at one point in His life
to experience closeness with the Father. That fact alone
convinces me that the Lord would not condemn me for
feeling separated from Him. The lack of closeness won't last
Forever. Jesus came through it, and He'll give you all the
hope you need to come through it, and He'll give you all the
Hope. You need to come through those feelings, too
Lord Jesus, I can't begin to imagine You agony of feeling
Separated from the Father. I'm simply grateful that you
Understand my feeling today. With you, I had always close
God thank You for assuring me that you will never leave
forsake me.
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