Matthew 27:45–46   From noon until three in the afternoon darkness came over all the land. 46  About three in
the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?”
(which means “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”.  (NIV)



3 Right Responses When You Feel Abandoned By God



1. Remind yourself God loves you and is with you



Hebrews 13:5   Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because
God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”  (NIV)



1. Because God is with you, you’re not alone



Matthew 28:20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with
you always, to the very end of the age.” (NIV)



2. Because God is with you, take your hard questions to God



Hebrews 4:15–16 This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings
we do, yet he did not sin. 16  So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive
his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most. (NLT)



3. Because God is with you, this season is a part of your story not the entire story



1 Corinthians 13:12   For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I
shall know fully, even as I have been fully known. (ESV)



2. Turn why God? Into What God?



1. Ask God what do you want to teach me?



Hebrews 5:8 Even though Jesus was God’s Son, he learned obedience from the things he suffered. (NLT)



2. Ask God what do you want to do in me?



2 Corinthians 12:7 or because of these surpassingly great revelations. Therefore, in order to keep me from
becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. (NIV)



3. Ask God what do you want to do through me?



Hebrews 12:2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he
endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. (NIV)



3. When you can’t trace God’s hand trust God’s heart



Luke 23:46 Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.” When he had
said this, he breathed his last. (NIV)



2 Corinthians 1:20 For no matter how many promises God has made, they are “Yes” in Christ. And so
through him the “Amen” is spoken by us to the glory of God. (NIV)



Hebrews 13:5,"Never will I leave you. Never will I forsake you,"



Romans 8:28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been
called according to his purpose. (NIV)



Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for
disaster, to give you a future and a hope.” (NLT)



Ephesians 3:20 Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or
think, according to the power that works in us,  (KJV)



1 Peter 5:10 And after you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to His
eternal glory in Christ, will Himself restore you, secure you, strengthen you, and establish you.  (ESV)



Philippians 4:19 And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.
(NIV)



Romans 8:32 He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along
with him, graciously give us all things? (NIV)



Lamentations 3:22-23 Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never
fail. 23  They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. (NIV)