You GET To + “The God Who Stays”
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The God Who Stays
Thinking this morning of what Pastor taught about last night—God being our Father and our identity as children. Thinking of how God has stuck with me through the years and PROVEN HIMSELF FAITHFUL. He has proven to me that He NEVER WALKS AWAY. That He never gives up. He is my Father.
On the heels of, or mixed up with, this thought is the thought of the deep human fear of rejection and abandonment. So many in our world have been abandoned or rejected in their lifetime. These wounds are deep. They are deep, because at the core of every human soul is an innate desire to be nurtured, noticed, wanted, loved, and cared for. Rejection and abandonment strike heavy blows at this most primal desire and need. The wounds of abandonment and rejection cut deep to the core of a person and leave wounds that trigger responses years, even decades, after the wound was inflicted.
Because of the breakdown of the family and rampant sin in our society, many deal daily with wounds from rejection and abandonment.
Maybe a father walked out. Maybe a mother walked out.
Maybe divorce shattered a “picture perfect home.”
Maybe a long-time friendship came to a screeching halt, and they were left reeling.
Maybe a “Dear John” letter never explained why the one they hoped would be their better-half walked out of their heart.
Maybe someone stopped calling and coming around when the fringe benefits ended.
Maybe someone who was a key-player in their life is suddenly gone for one reason or another.
Maybe this form of loss that can’t be grieved in the same way as death finds them staggering under it’s sometimes crippling weight.
Maybe the party life with one-night stands has reinforced the lie, “you’re not worth sticking around for.”
Whatever the reason, many have “father wounds.” Many have “mother wounds.” Many have faced rejection and abandonment. And these wounds leave so many asking the rest of the people in their lives, “Will you leave me, too?” Maybe the question is not asked directly, but past experience leaves that question always gnawing away at the inside of their soul and resounding in their subconscious mind.
As I write this, 2 questions that Jesus asked come to mind: John 6:66 says, “From that time many of His disciples went back and walked no more with Him.” Following this abandonment, Jesus “said unto the twelve, ‘Will you also go away?’” Jesus, in His humanity asked the question our wounded hears to so often ask.
In another dark moment, we hear Him ask this question of God: “Now from the sixth hour, there was darkness over all the land until the ninth hour. And about the ninth hour, Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying ‘Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?’ that is to say, ‘My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?’” In the lowest, darkest moment of His human existence, Jesus humanity knew what it was to feel rejection and abandonment from God. He wasn’t truly rejected or abandoned but felt it so keenly that He cried out OUR QUESTION.
Jesus knew the weight of abandonment and rejection. The God who walked the dusty streets of our world asked the same questions we so often carry:
“Why did you leave me?” and “Will you leave me, too?”
These questions are real. These questions haunt the corridors of our minds. But as I think of the reality of these questions and the reality of the wounds that so many live with, a promise rings loudly in my ears.
In Moses’ final address to God’s chosen people, Israel, he says: “Be strong and courageous…the Lord your God will go with you. HE WILL NEVER LEAVE YOU OR FORSAKE YOU.” Some translations say, He will never abandon you.”
The writer of Hebrews reiterates this promise in the New Testament. Hebrews 13:5-6 tells us to live with contentment “For He has said, I will NEVER LEAVE YOU OR FORSAKE YOU.” Why? He goes on: “So we may boldly say, ‘The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.” The Amplified Bible puts it like this: “So we may take comfort and are encouraged and confidently and boldly say, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be seized with alarm. (I will not fear or dread or be terrified.) What can man do to me?” WOW.
He will NEVER leave you or forsake you. “Never” is kind of like “all.” Never has no exceptions.
He will never leave you. Let that sink in. Let that speak peace over your ravaged soul. Let that simple line pour healing oil into old wounds.
He will never leave you in the dark…in the low places.
He will never leave you when “you’ve got it all together, “and think you’re big stuff.
He will never leave you in your pain, your questions, your uncertainty.
He will never leave you when you fail and fall and stumble.
He will never leave you when loss rocks your world and it seems your life will always be adrift on a sea of tears.
Whatever the season or scenario you could think up, HE WILL NEVER LEAVE YOU! His love and faithfulness know no limits.
Wrap yourself in this truth. He is your Father and He will never walk away. Great is His faithfulness! Live in this promise. Let it answer those questions you’ve been asking so long! Let His unfailing love seep down into the deep dark places where those questions were born. Let these words be balm for your wounded soul: “He will never leave you or forsake you.”
Wow.
“You’re the God who stays.
You’re the God who stays.
You’re the One who runs in my direction
When the whole world walks away.
You’re the God who stands
With wide open arms
And you tell me nothing I have ever done could separate my heart from the
God who stays.”
--Matthew West
Thank You for being our Father.
Thank You for STAYING.
I hope this episode is a simple reminder of the incredible privilege of …
1. Having a relationship with God through His presence and His Word!
2. Owning a Bible!
3. The fact that this same God will NEVER LEAVE YOU OR FORSAKE YOU!! He’s the God Who Stays.