Jesus, Why Have You Forgotten Me: Finding Comfort In His Promises And Word
In times of deep pain, loneliness, and hardship, it’s easy to feel abandoned. "Jesus, why have you forgotten me?" is a question many of us ask when we struggle to feel His presence in our lives. If you've ever felt like God has turned away from you, you're not alone. Even in the depths of despair, the Tanakh speaks to us, revealing that God has never forsaken His people. Through the life, death, and resurrection of Yeshua (Jesus), we find hope in the promises of God’s unchanging faithfulness.
Let’s take a journey through the Tanakh and explore how God’s answers to these feelings of abandonment are found in His love for us—love that never fails, never falters, and never forgets.
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Jesus, Why Have You Forgotten Me? The Cry of the Psalmist
The feeling of being forgotten by God is not new. In fact, some of the greatest figures in the Tanakh cried out in agony, wondering why God seemed distant. King David, a man after God's own heart, was no stranger to feelings of abandonment. In Psalm 22, David’s anguished cry echoes a feeling we all experience at some point: the belief that God has forgotten us.
"My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, so far from my cries of anguish?" (Psalm 22:1)
David’s words in this psalm are heart-wrenching, yet they are not words of ultimate defeat—they are words of a soul in the midst of struggle, crying out for help. This psalm is prophetic and points forward to Yeshua’s own cry from the cross. When Jesus uttered these words (Matthew 27:46), He was identifying with humanity’s deepest sorrow and sense of abandonment, yet He never truly was abandoned by God. He was taking on the weight of the world’s sins to bring us closer to the Father.
Just as David felt forsaken, we, too, may feel as if God has forgotten us in our pain. But, like David, we can call out to God, knowing that even in our darkest moments, He is listening.
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God Has Not Forgotten His People: A Promise of His Faithfulness
One of the most powerful themes in the Tanakh is the promise of God’s unshakable faithfulness. Even when Israel faced exile, oppression, or suffering, God continually reminded His people that He had not and would not forget them. The prophets spoke boldly of God's commitment to restore and redeem Israel, and these promises apply to all who seek Him, even today.
“Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you!” (Isaiah 49:15)
This powerful verse from Isaiah speaks to the depth of God’s love. Though even the most loving human relationships may fail, God promises that He will never forget His people. His love is far greater than any human love. When we feel abandoned, He is there, remembering us with compassion and grace.
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The Ever-Present Help: God's Faithfulness in the Wilderness
Another significant part of the Tanakh shows God’s faithfulness to His people even in the wilderness. After the Israelites were freed from Egypt, they faced long stretches of desert, where they often felt abandoned and forgotten. Yet, God was with them, providing manna from heaven, guiding them with a pillar of fire, and assuring them of His constant presence.
“The LORD your God, who is going before you, will fight for you, as he did for you in Egypt, before your very eyes.” (Deuteronomy 1:30)
When the Israelites thought they had been abandoned in the wilderness, God reminded them that He had been with them all along. Similarly, when we feel alone in our struggles, God is walking with us, leading us through the trials, even when we cannot feel His presence. Our situation does not dictate His faithfulness—He is always there, even when we don’t see or feel Him.
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Yeshua, the Fulfillment of God's Promise
Though it’s natural to feel forgotten in moments of pain, it is essential to remember that God's promises are steadfast. Yeshua (Jesus) is the fulfillment of God’s promise to never forget His people. Through His life, death, and resurrection, Jesus became the ultimate sign of God's commitment to us. His cry from the cross, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" was the moment He bore the weight of humanity's sin, but it was also the moment that He revealed that He was not abandoned. Even in that darkest hour, God’s plan of salvation was unfolding.
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16)
Yeshua’s death on the cross is the ultimate demonstration of God’s love and His eternal commitment to His people. He never forgot us. Instead, He gave everything to draw us near to Him. His sacrifice means that we are never truly alone—He is always with us, interceding for us and holding us close to the Father.
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The Unfailing Love of God: Our Assurance in Times of Pain
When we cry out, "Jesus, why have you forgotten me?" it’s important to remember that God's love is unwavering. The Tanakh and the life of Yeshua reveal that even in our most difficult moments, God is near. His love for us is not dependent on our circumstances—it is eternal and unchanging.
In times of trial, take heart in the promises of God’s faithfulness:
“The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” (Psalm 34:18)
“The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness.” (Lamentations 3:22-23)
God has not and will not forget you. Even when life feels unbearable, you can trust that His love is ever-present, and He will never forsake you. Just as He was faithful to Israel in the wilderness and to David in his struggles, He will be faithful to you.
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How to Respond When You Feel Forgotten
If you’re facing a season where it feels like God has forgotten you, here are some things you can do:
1. Cry Out to God: Like David, cry out to God in your pain. He can handle your raw emotions and will never turn away from your pleas for help.
2. Remember His Promises: Reflect on God’s promises of faithfulness, especially the ones we find in the Tanakh. Remember, God has promised to never forget you. He will always be there for you.
3. Trust in Yeshua: Jesus is the ultimate demonstration of God’s love. Through His sacrifice, we can be assured that we are never abandoned. Hold onto the truth that God’s love is unshakable.
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Conclusion: God Will Never Forget You
When you feel like crying out, "Jesus, why have you forgotten me?" remember that God has not forgotten you. His promises in the Tanakh show His unchanging love, and Yeshua’s life and death are the ultimate proof of God’s commitment to His people. Though pain and suffering are real, they do not define us. God’s love does. Hold fast to the assurance that He will never leave or forsake you—His love for you is constant and eternal.
