October 8

“Thou shalt no more be termed Forsaken” Isa. lxii. 4.

is a dreary word. It sounds like a knell. It is the record of sharpest sorrows, and the prophecy of direst ills. An abyss of misery yawns in that word “Forsaken.” Forsaken by one who pledged his honour! Forsaken by a friend so long tried and trusted! Forsaken by a dear relative! Forsaken by father and mother! Forsaken by all! This is woe in deed, and yet it may be patiently borne if the Lord will take us up.

But what must it be to feel forsaken of God? Think of that bitterest of cries, “My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?” Have we ever in any degree tasted the wormwood and the gall of “Forsaken,” in that sense? If so, let us beseech our Lord to save us from any repetition of so unspeakable a sorrow. Oh that such darkness may never return! Men in malice said to a saint, “God hath forsaken him; persecute and take him.” But it was always false. The Lord’s loving favour shall compel our cruel foes to eat their own words, or, at least, to hold their tongues.

The reverse of all this is that superlative word, Hephzibah — “the Lord delighteth in thee.” This turns weeping into dancing. Let those who dreamed that they were forsaken hear the Lord say, “I will never leave thee nor forsake thee.”