Do Not Abandon Me nor Forsake Me, O God of My Salvation!
Psalm 27:9 – “Do not hide Your face from me; do not turn Your servant away in anger; You have been my help. Do not abandon me or forsake me, O God of my salvation!”
Life’s journey is filled with moments of joy, triumph, and victories, but also seasons of hardship, fear, and uncertainty. In such moments, we sometimes feel as though God is distant or has turned away from us. David, the psalmist, understood this deeply and cried out in Psalm 27:9, pleading with God not to forsake him. His words express both a deep sense of reliance on God and a fear of divine abandonment.
As believers, we all face times when we wrestle with doubts, fears, and the feeling of being alone. This reflection will explore why David made this plea, how we can relate to it, and what God’s Word assures us about His faithfulness.
1. Why Did David Cry Out for God’s Presence?
David, a man after God’s own heart (Acts 13:22), was no stranger to challenges. He faced battles, betrayals, and personal failures. Yet, in all these, he recognized that his ultimate source of strength and deliverance was God alone. His plea in Psalm 27:9 comes from a place of desperation but also of confidence.
Key Reasons for His Cry:
- Fear of God’s Absence – David longed for God’s presence because he knew that without Him, he was vulnerable to enemies, sin, and despair.
- Past Experiences of God’s Help – He acknowledged that God had been his help before: “You have been my help.” This gave him faith to ask for continued divine assistance.
- The Reality of Human Abandonment – In Psalm 27:10, David says, “Though my father and my mother forsake me, the LORD will receive me.” Even when earthly relationships fail, God’s love never does.
2. The Assurance That God Will Not Forsake Us
Even in our weakest moments, God remains faithful. The Bible is full of promises that assure us He will never abandon His children.
Biblical Promises of God’s Presence:
Deuteronomy 31:6 – “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you.”
Hebrews 13:5 – “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”
Isaiah 41:10 – “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.”
Matthew 28:20 – “And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
God’s Character Guarantees His Faithfulness
- He is a Covenant-Keeping God – God does not break His promises (Numbers 23:19).
- His Presence is Our Security – No matter how dark the valley, we are never alone (Psalm 23:4).
- He is the God of Our Salvation – Salvation itself is proof that God is eternally committed to us (Romans 8:38-39).
3. What Should Be Our Response?
Since God never forsakes us, how should we respond when we feel abandoned?
A. Keep Trusting in God’s Goodness
David begins Psalm 27 with confidence: “The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?” (Psalm 27:1). Even when we feel lost, we must hold on to the truth of God’s love and sovereignty.
B. Seek His Face Continually
In Psalm 27:8, David declares, “My heart says of You, ‘Seek His face!’ Your face, LORD, I will seek.” God desires that we keep seeking Him in prayer, fasting, and worship.
C. Persevere in Faith Even When God Seems Silent
Sometimes, God’s silence is a test of our faith, not His absence. Psalm 13:1 expresses a similar cry: “How long, O LORD? Will You forget me forever?” Yet, David always ended his psalms with trust in God’s deliverance.
D. Encourage Yourself in the Lord
Like David in 1 Samuel 30:6, we must learn to encourage ourselves in God, reminding ourselves of His faithfulness in past situations.
Conclusion: God is Always with Us!
David’s plea in Psalm 27:9 reminds us that even the strongest believers experience moments of fear and uncertainty. Yet, God’s promises are clear—He will never leave nor forsake us. He is the God of our salvation, the One who helps us in times of trouble.
As we continue in this 40-day fasting and prayer, let us rest in the assurance that God remains with us, even when we do not feel His presence. Let this truth sustain our hearts: “Do not abandon me nor forsake me, O God of my salvation!”
Prayer:
- Lord, do not forsake me; let Your presence be with me always. Let Your presence surround me in every moment of my life in Jesus’ name. (Psalm 139:7).
- God of my salvation, guide me in Your truth and teach me, for You are my God in Jesus’ name. (Psalm 25:5).
- Lord, uphold me with Your righteous hand and do not let me fall. Strengthen me, in times of weakness; do not let me falter in Jesus’ name. (Isaiah 40:29, Isaiah 41:10).
- When I am in distress, Lord, do not be far from me; come quickly to my aid in Jesus’ name. (Psalm 22:19).
- God of my salvation, restore to me the joy of Your salvation and uphold me with Your Spirit in Jesus’ name. (Psalm 51:12).
- Deliver me from all my fears, O Lord; do not let me be ashamed in Jesus’ name. (Psalm 34:4).
- Have mercy on me, O God; do not turn away from my pleas for help in Jesus’ name. (Psalm 28:1).
- I desire for intimacy. Lord, do not cast me away from Your presence; let me dwell in Your house forever in Jesus’ name. (Psalm 51:11).
- Grant me wisdom and understanding, O God, that I may walk in Your ways. Grant me discernment, O God, that I may walk closely with You in Jesus’ name. (James 1:5).
- I request for protection. Protect me, Lord, from the schemes of the enemy; do not let me be forsaken in Jesus’ name. (Psalm 91:1-2).
- Help me to remain faithful to You, O God, and do not let me stray from Your path in Jesus’ name. (1 Thessalonians 5:24).
- Comfort me in my troubles, Lord; do not leave me alone in Jesus’ name. (2 Corinthians 1:3-4).
- Fill me with hope and assurance, O God of my salvation; do not let me despair in Jesus’ name. (Psalm 39:7).
- Renew a right spirit within me, O God; do not let me be cast away from You in Jesus’ name. (Psalm 51:10).
- Thank You, Lord, for the assurance of eternal life; do not let me be separated from Your love in Jesus’ name. (Romans 8:38-39).
