Unforsaken: Faith Admist Suffering

One of the most profound pains anyone can experience is the feeling of abandonment and rejection. It cuts even deeper when that rejection comes from someone we love or from those who’ve promised to always be there for us. Yet, rejection and abandonment are experiences that many of us encounter in our lives. Life’s unpredictable nature dictates that some relationships will fade away.

At times, we extend this same uncertainty to our relationship with God. We’ve heard that God is always present, but what about those times when we don’t necessarily “feel” His presence? How about during moments of intense pain or profound loss? Can we truly believe that God is with us in the midst of illness or the death of a loved one? How can we be assured of God’s presence when it appears like He has left us?

This pain is something Jesus must have known intimately. During His most vulnerable moments, those He had shared His life with abandoned Him. Peter, who had sworn to stand by His side even unto death, denied knowing Him. His friends and family were conspicuously absent, leaving Him to face a terrifying journey ahead—crucifixion, one of the most excruciating forms of execution in His time. Yet, He was seemingly left alone.

However, Jesus possessed a deep understanding that, even in the darkest moments, He was not truly alone. He declared with unwavering confidence that though His friends might abandon Him, the Father remained with Him (John 16:32). One might expect this divine presence to thwart the crucifixion or send angels to intervene, but that’s not what transpired. God’s presence didn’t guarantee a trouble-free path: Jesus still suffered and died. Even when he prayed for this cup to somehow pass over Him, God answered by strengthening Him (Luke 22:43), not removing the pain altogether. Yet, in the midst of the excruciating pain, He found solace in knowing that God was with Him throughout. He drew strength for His journey and held onto faith that the Lord would save Him (Psalm 16:10).

From the crucifixion story, we learn that the presence of God doesn’t necessarily equate to the absence of trouble. Instead, it means that, no matter what transpires, God provides us with the strength to endure.

To be unforsaken signifies that even in the most challenging times, God is our sustainer.

Raqam: Intricately Woven

“No one can deny the skill needed to knit a blanket or sweater, or to embroider a material. It requires skill, diligence, and expertise.

The Hebrew word “Raqam” denotes the skill of an embroiderer or a needle worker, used to describe how God meticulously created each of us.

When God created us, there were no mistakes. He made us perfectly and beautifully, with the skill and precision of an embroiderer.

Upon examining the human body, one can witness its complexity and beauty. Each part works in harmony to create a beautiful whole. No part is without purpose—each is meaningful.

God’s design and creation of us in the womb is a masterpiece. From conception to birth, the human body is a miraculous creation by a skilled Creator.

Consider this:
The one who created the trees, the mastermind behind nature, the designer of sunflowers and roses,crafted you with skill and intricate design.
While you were in the womb, He intricately shaped you. And in His creation, there are no mistakes.
Your unique features, inherited characteristics, and physical traits are beautiful.
Like a skillful embroiderer, He designed you.
Even if you were a surprise to your biological parents, you were no surprise to the One who molded you.
Even your perceived ‘flaws’ were carefully crafted by a meticulous and skillful Creator.
In a world of fluctuating beauty standards, it’s easy to compare our worth and appearance to societal norms. However, we must not base our value on ever-changing standards.
We should see ourselves through the lens of the One who created us—
We were fashioned with care.
We were crafted skillfully.
And we are the most treasured creation of the One who created all things beautifully.

Beauty standards may change over time—
But you, my child,
Will always be inherently valuable,
For you were created by, and in the image of, the God of all Creation