Why does God sometimes seem to have forsaken us when we are tempted?

BibleAsk Team

God’s Infinite Love

God has great plans for His people, but some may be tempted to think that He had forgotten them. “But Zion said, “The Lord has forsaken me, and my Lord has forgotten me.”  “Can a woman forget her nursing child, and not have compassion on the son of her womb? Surely they may forget, yet I will not forget you. See, I have inscribed you on the palms of My hands; your walls are continually before Me” (Isaiah 49:14-16 also 40:27; 54:6,7; Psalms 137:1-4).).

The strongest love known to human beings is that of a mother for her child, and this love Isaiah uses to exemplify the love of God for His children. But God’s children feared that He had forgotten the covenant promises made to them (verse 14). God’s love is infinite. “For as the heavens are high above the earth, So great is His mercy toward those who fear Him” (Psalm 103:11). Therefore, His children should not doubt His love for them.

In fact, throughout eternity, the nail prints in the hands of Christ will be an everlasting reminder of His love for sinners. “Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends” (John 15:13). Man’s weaknesses are strong appeals to God’s loving-kindness (Genesis 8:21; Psalms 89:5; 139:1–18).

God’s Ways Are Not Man’s Ways

Finite human minds can’t understand the ways of God. “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,” says the Lord” (Isaiah 55:8). God is omniscient, omnipresent, and omnipotent. He sees the beginning to the end and He does that which is eternally best for His children. “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28).

Job did not understand why God had allowed the things He did, but he knew the Almighty was loving and therefore continued to trust Him saying, “Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him” (Job 13:15). So, instead of doubting God’s goodness, our reaction should be to trust Him. John declares, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16). God is good, just, loving, and merciful (Exodus 34:6).

Trust in God

”Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight” (Proverbs 3:5, 6). God has all knowledge and all power, and foresees and prepares against all the hardships that may come upon a person as sudden attacks. For anyone to depend on his own understanding under such circumstances is not wise. It is also unwise to shift between trust in self and trust in God.

To place little trust in one’s own knowledge does not mean that a person should refrain from using his mind and give up the power of the will. Intelligence is needed to see from the Word of God and from God’s guiding providences what is His will. A will empowered and sanctified by God is needed if a person is to follow a correct course till to the end.

Many have began to walk the way of righteousness with full trust in the Redeemer, but have later begun to appropriate credit to themselves for their successes and have ended up in sinful state away from the Lord. This was the experience of Solomon himself, but he was fortunate to rise from his dreadful state before it was too late (Kings 11:1–13).

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In His service,
BibleAsk Team

Categories God

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