Focus: Man's Plea & God's Promise

Text: Ps.38:21

"Forsake me not, O LORD: O my God, be not far from me."

*Man prays

Praying to God, the psalmist says, "Forsake me not, O LORD: O my God, be not far from me." Prayer is a human response to the divine revelation and declaration. In other words, prayer is a Spirit-inspired response to the Spirit-inspired word of God. David prayerfully said to God, "Do as thou hast said." David's plea is informed by God's promise to him. He was simply saying, 'Lord, you have said it; do it. Just do as you have said.'

At the dedication of the Lord's house, Solomon prays for the Israel of God, "The LORD our God be with us, as he was with our fathers: let him not LEAVE us, nor FORSAKE us" (1Kgs.8:57). The psalmist prays, "Thou hast been my help; LEAVE me not, neither FORSAKE me, O God of my salvation… Cast me not off in the time of old age; FORSAKE me not when my strength faileth… Now also when I am old and grayheaded, O God, FORSAKE me not; UNTIL I have shewed thy strength unto this generation, and thy power to every one that is to come" (Ps.27:9; 71:9,18). The psalmist's goal is to get God out to the people of his generation and to make known His power to the next generation, and he cannot get it done without the presence of God in his life, and so he prays for His abiding presence. He prays again, "FORSAKE not the works of thine own hands" (Ps.138:8).

*Man proclaims

Moses declares to Israel, "(For the LORD thy God is a merciful God;) he will not forsake thee, neither destroy thee, nor forget the covenant of thy fathers which he sware unto them" (Dt.4:31). Moses speaks as God's mouthpiece. He stands in God's place and proclaims God's word with audacity and authority. He speaks as a man who is confident and certain of God's limitless ability and utter trustworthiness.

Moses says to Israel and to us by extension, "Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the LORD thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not FAIL thee, nor FORSAKE thee… And the LORD, he it is that doth go BEFORE thee; he will be WITH thee, he will not FAIL thee, neither FORSAKE thee: fear not, neither be dismayed" (Dt.31:6,8). Moses stands in God's place and speaks as God's oracle. He inspires and stirs faith in God's people. He makes them see the need to believe in and rely on God.

Samuel speaks to Israel as God's mouthpiece, "For the LORD will not FORSAKE his people for his great name's sake: because it hath pleased the LORD to make you his people" (1Sam.12:22). It pleases God that you are His, and you are His forever. The psalmist proclaims, "For the LORD will not CAST OFF his people, neither will he FORSAKE his inheritance" (Ps.94:14). Hallelujah!

*God promises

God imparts strength to Joshua through His firm promise to him. He says, "There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life: as I was with Moses, so I will be WITH thee: I will not FAIL thee, nor FORSAKE thee" (Josh.1:5). God speaks to Joshua and encourages him to take up the mantle of Moses.

God proclaims to his people, "And I will dwell among the children of Israel, and will not FORSAKE my people Israel" (1Kgs.6:13). God sticks with His people forever. He says again, "When the poor and needy seek water, and there is none, and their tongue faileth for thirst, I the LORD will HEAR them, I the God of Israel will not FORSAKE them" (Isa.41:17). God will not abandon the poor and needy among His people. He promises to stand with them and listen to their pleas.

The author of Hebrews declares, "For he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee" (Heb.13:5). God's promise stands. God cannot fail to keep His word. He stands by His word to perform it in your life. Be assured that God will never forsake you. There will never be a time when you will be alone, for God has promised to be in your life forever. In foul or fair weather, count on the Lord. He does what He says. As you pray, bank on God's word. Man's plea and God's promise are eternally linked.

by Bishop Moses E. Peter