Day 18: Stranded on an Island called 'Forsaken'

Day 18: Stranded on an Island called 'Forsaken'

Read: Joshua 1:1-9, Psalm 22 'The Song of the Cross of Christ', Matthew 28:1-10, Mark 16:1-8, Luke 24:1-12, John 20:1-18

Forsake:
1. To utterly give up (something formerly held dear, something of the very highest of priorities to that individual or group); the choice to completely renounce.
2. To leave altogether; to turn one's back on; to utterly abandon something held up in high esteem or of of high value to the individual or group.

Forsaken (verb): The conscious or unconscious act of being or feeling completely deserted or helpless; absolutely abandoned by our own self perception of a given situation or circumstance, deliberate decision of another individual or group of people.

Somewhere out in the great expanse of this great and wonderful planet of ours with all it's lush gardens, exotic tropical island beaches and get away's, high and majestic mountains and those mysteriously exciting far away continents is a place we truly dread to travel to. Of all of the thousands of vacation spots we can choose to spend our hard earned money on this one would without a doubt on earth not be it. It is a place nobody would deliberately dare or desire to go. It is extremely doubtful you will find this place in any travel brochure ever printed save for one: The Bible Psalm 22.

It is the Island called 'Forsaken' and by all accounts it is a place no one wants to be. Yet it is a place where at one time or another we find ourselves settling into. A place where we find ourselves exiled by our choices, by our mistakes, our circumstances. A place in life where it all seems to go wrong all at once, personally traumatic times thrust upon us through no fault of our own such as being a victim of crime, house destroyed by fire, natural disasters, the unexpected loss of loved ones, trapped in the wilderness with no apparent way out and no obvious survival gear at hand. We are surrounded on all sides by a stronger enemy of some nature desiring our very end.

There is nowhere to turn for help. There is no one we feel we can turn to for aid. We are feeling absolutely abandoned. We are feeling totally cut off from life itself. We turn towards the lifeboat of prayer but even this feels like a sinking ship. This Psalm vividly describes one of those times when King David felt totally forsaken not only by other people but also by the God of his salvation. Everyone appeared to be utterly against him - his family, his friends, his army -- everyone -- even his God.

This is an all consuming feeling -- from the ultimate vacation spot and then suddenly
stranded on an Island called 'forsaken' with no apparent way to leave it behind. It is the perception of a trap from which there is no way to escape, It is the end of life. However, as much as this Psalm begins on the Island of Forsaken it ends in the glory of new life through God's eternal promise of rescue and redemption (verses 22-31).

This is the place that Christ found himself at Calvary. No where to go, no apparent escape from his perceived fate. And yes, He did die and was sealed into a tomb. But with God all things are possible. With God there is always another ending to the rest of the story. The Good News is that God resurrected His Son from Forsaken Island and into a new and glorious life. As He did it for His own Son He will do it for you to. Believe on Him who resurrected Jesus from death that God will return you from the Island of Forsaken. For with God all created things find newness of life from the very deepest pits and valley's of life.

Let us Pray: Since the perception of this Island is very difficult to overcome, appeal to the Father for that extra measure of patience in waiting, His sustaining grace to strengthen you. For a vision of a future and a life filled with glorious love and hope. Amen

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sxUW8DOPG_Y

Matt Redman-You Never Let Go-Lyrics:)†

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Lyrics to Matt Redmans You Never Let Go-Oh no, You never let go, through the calm and through the storm, Oh no, You never let go in every high and every low,...