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When you turn on the news to hear the number of COVID19 cases continue to rise, the death count steadily increasing, unclaimed bodies being buried in massive ditches, unemployment numbers rapidly increasing, and lines for food banks spanning miles, it can be easy to believe that God has forsaken us.

The psalmist David was acquainted with suffering as he asked God in Psalm 22 why he had forsaken him —when would the trouble end. Jesus cried out in His suffering on the cross, “My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?“.  In the midst of our pain it can often feel as if God is no where to be found. As we find ourselves in these turbulent and difficult times, it may seem as if our prayers are going unanswered, our pleas for help seem to be ignored, and our tears seem to be wasted. We have encountered times of restlessness and even hopelessness. The pain sometimes unbearable.

The soldiers who mocked Jesus as they watched Him suffering in agony in those final moments on the cross help give understanding to why we tend to lose hope. “Let Him come down from the cross, and we will believe in Him and acknowledge Him.”(Matthew 27:42 AMP)  Simply put – sometimes we need to see a sign in order to believe. A sign to restore our hope. A sign to help us rest.

In the midst of all of this uncertainty where there may not be many visible signs of hope, find encouragement in Jesus’ parting words to His disciples:

“Take careful notice: an hour is coming, and has arrived, when you will all be scattered, each to his own home, leaving Me alone; and yet I am not alone, because the Father is with Me. 

I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace. In the world you have tribulation and distress and suffering, but be courageous [be confident, be undaunted, be filled with joy]; I have overcome the world.” [My conquest is accomplished, My victory abiding.]

-John 16:32-33 AMP

We are never alone! The Father is with us. Because Jesus lives we can have this hope. Continue to cry out to Him. Allow Him to turn your pain to praise, your worry to worship, your anxiousness to awe. He is here with us. He never left.

Be encouraged. You are not forsaken.