Abandoned

In Ezekiel 16:4, the prophet uses a very graphic analogy of Israel's humble beginnings as an abandoned newborn: "On the day you were born your cord was not cut, nor were you washed with water to make you clean, nor were you rubbed with salt or wrapped in cloths."  The picture is clear that she was cast off and left to die.  As King David would later lament, "Look and see, there is no one at my right hand; no one is concerned for me. I have no refuge; no one cares for my life" (Ps 142:4).

You've felt that way at times, haven't you?  You've had those days when you felt abandoned, alone in a world where no one gets you and no one really seems to care.  Undoubtedly, you've even been at the point where you doubted your worth to God, when you wondered if he really had time for you.

But what so often happens when we get past that point, when we feel His love and acceptance, when we know that we aree desired of God?  What do we tend to do when we feel self-assured in our acceeeptance, when everything seems right in our word?  We often begin to take pride in ourselves, in our own abilities and accompishments - in our own worth.

At that point, confident and self-assured, rather than humbly seek out the Master's willl, we begin to think about our own.  We even say things like, "It's time for me."  "I need to think about myself."  "I need to focus on what I want."  At about that time, we begin to turn our backs on the one who loves us, who lifted us up.  We then abandon God  Ironic, is it not?

Turning back to Ezekiel, listen to this play out in Israel's life as the prophet continues his graphic analysis: "And your fame spread among the nations on account of your beauty, because the splendor I had given you made your beauty perfect, declares the Sovereign Lord. But you trusted in your beauty and used your fame to become a prostitute" (16:14-15).

I know the imagery is graphic and unsavory, but doesn't it ring true for each of us as we go through the same motions as Israel?  Don't we go from feeling worthless to being rather prideful; from being dependant on God to not thinking we really need him - that we've got this?

But do we?  Did Israel?  The answer is no, we do not have things under control and soon they begin to control us again and we begin to fee overwhelmed and under appreciated.  We, once again, feel alone, abandoned and worthless.  We, once again, feel the need for God.

News flash!  We always need God.  There is never a time when we could make it without him - never a time when we are truly self-sufficient, worthy and able on our own: "You say, 'I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.' But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked" (Rev 3:17).  We think we've got it, right up to the point where we realize our worthlessness again and, once again feel abandoned.

The truth is, however, we are are never worthy and we are never abandoned.  We are saved by grace (Eph 2:8,9) and He will never abandon us (Jn 14:18).  We are the ones who abandon him and then feel the loss of his presence.  Jus' Say'n.