Dear Friends of "Dial Daily Bread,"
Why is it not a sin to feel that you are forsaken by God, but if you say that you are it becomes a sin? The answer is the difference between temptation and sin. A thousand temptations do not equal one sin; the sin comes in yielding to the temptation, choosing to disbelieve. When you are tempted to feel forsaken by God, you are being tested and tried (probably everyone has been so tempted at some time). But when you say, "I am forsaken by God!" you have sinned because you have denied and contradicted the word of God: "He Himself has said, 'I will never leave you nor forsake you'" (Heb. 13:5).
Jesus conquered temptation by quoting Scripture to Satan, "It is written." You do the same! When you are tempted to feel forsaken by God, quote that precious text, over and over again. And because you have overcome that temptation, you will be able to encourage others who are so tempted. You will actually win souls; for there are many people who need the testimony of someone who has been tempted as they are tempted, but who has overcome by faith.
You may ask, "But maybe I have committed the unpardonable sin! If so, has God forsaken me?" The unpardonable sin is not God forsaking the sinner, but the sinner forsaking God. He still loves the person who has committed that sin (if he has!), but the sinner has burnt out his antenna and cannot receive the forgiveness "signal" from God.
If you can catch even the faintest signal from the Holy Spirit assuring you of God's faithful love, cherish it; don't let Satan overwhelm you with discouragement because you know you have sinned. It's sinners that Christ has come to save. We rob Him what is His due if we withhold ourselves from Him. Don't accept Satan's judgment; appeal over his head to the Supreme Court of heaven--Christ Himself.
I have visited patients in rehab hospitals and nursing homes who take exercises, learning over again how to walk. They have been in an accident, or had a stroke. They exercise those weak muscles, and they overcome. So can you "exercise" your faith; choose to believe that promise, "I will never leave thee nor forsake thee!"
Perhaps someone out there is elderly; if so, cherish this prayer: "Now also when I am old and grey-headed, O God, do not forsake me, until I declare Your strength to this generation," that is, told them the Good News of the gospel (Psalm 71:18).
-- Robert J. Wieland
From the "Dial Daily Bread" Archive: November 4, 1999.
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