“About the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, ‘Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?’ — 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’re 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 Jesus understands exactly how I feel; it 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 those feelings, too.
Lord Jesus, I can’t begin to imagine your agony of feeling separated from the Father. I’m simply grateful that You understand my feelings today. With You, I am always close to God — thank You for assuring me that You will never leave or forsake me.
