Finding Hope in God’s Faithfulness: Understanding Jesus’s Cry of Abandonment

When Jesus cried out “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” from the cross, He expressed one of humanity’s deepest fears – abandonment by God. This powerful moment teaches us important lessons about God’s faithfulness even in our darkest times.

What Does it Mean to be Forsaken by God?

Jesus’s cry from the cross was a quote from Psalm 22, expressing the agony of separation from God. This separation wasn’t just emotional – it represented Jesus taking on the full weight of humanity’s sin and experiencing true abandonment by God.

Why Did God Turn Away from Jesus?

God cannot look upon sin, and in that moment, Jesus bore all the sins of humanity:

He became sin on our behalf
He took God’s wrath that we deserved
He experienced hell (separation from God) so we wouldn’t have to

Does God’s Abandonment of Jesus Mean He’ll Abandon Us?

Actually, the opposite is true. Because Jesus was forsaken:

We will never be truly abandoned by God
We are assured of God’s constant presence
We have hope even in our darkest moments

How Should We Respond to Feelings of Abandonment?

When we feel abandoned or cry out “why God?”:

Remember it’s okay to lament – it shows faith, not lack of faith
Know that God understands our suffering
Trust that God remains faithful even when we can’t feel His presence
Turn to Him in prayer and praise

Life Application

This week, consider:

Where do you feel God’s presence most strongly in your life?
How can you demonstrate trust in God’s faithfulness even during difficult times?
Who in your life needs to hear the message that God will never abandon them?

Challenge: Each day this week, intentionally praise God for His faithfulness, especially in moments when you feel alone or discouraged. Write down specific ways you’ve seen His faithfulness in your life and share your testimony with someone who needs encouragement.

Questions for Reflection:

When have you felt most abandoned by God?
How does Jesus’s experience on the cross comfort you in those moments?
What practical steps can you take to remember God’s faithfulness during difficult times?