Never Abandoned

“Though my father and mother forsake me, the Lord will receive me.” (Psalm 27:10 NIV).

The Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB) puts this verse, “Even if my father and mother abandon me, the Lord cares for me.”

While it is unthinkable for most of us to even consider being abandoned by our parents, the sad truth is it happens to thousands around the world everyday. A young mother gives birth, bundles her baby in blankets and then leaves it on the streets for someone hopefully to find. The children of a drug addict are sold for the price of a fix. Harsh words are said, relationships broken, and a father and his son are alienated. On and on the sad scenarios continue. The pain, the loss can be emotionally crippling for those who experience this deepest kind of rejection.

Against this unthinkable (but all too possible) backdrop of being rejected by those who should love us, God contrasts His great love for us. Though because of sin there is nothing to commend us to God, no reason He should take us in, still He does! He accepts us no matter who else rejects us! He accepts us even when we reject ourselves. He loves us. He cares for us.

As I write these words our choir is practicing a song by Chris Rice, (Word Music, 2002), entitled the Untitled Hymn (Come to Jesus). The words go, “Weak and wounded sinner lost and left to die, raise your head, for Love is passing by. Come to Jesus, come to Jesus, come to Jesus and live.”

“Now your burdens lifted and carried far away, and precious blood has washed away the satin. So sing to Jesus, sing to Jesus, sing to Jesus and live.” Marvelous song. That is just the first two verses. Skip now to the forth verse, “Sometimes the way is lonely, and steep and filled with pain. So if your day is dark and pours the rain–Cry to Jesus, cry to Jesus, cry to Jesus and live.”

I don’t know what tears may fill your eyes today, what heartache or sorrow you have, but I do know this: there is One who loves you, who accepts you, who will never abandon you (Hebrews 12:5). Run to Him. Find Divine comfort–it’s the only comfort that will last.

The last verse of Mr. Rice’s marvelous song concludes, “And with your final heart-beat, kiss the world good-bye, then go in peace, and laugh on glory’s side, and fly to Jesus, fly to Jesus, fly to Jesus and live.” Oh, listen, if death cannot alienate from Him nothing can!