Mensa Otabil - The Lord Cares For Me (09/29/2025)
We’re still in Psalm 27, and we’re looking at David as he deals with the wicked who rose up against him. Verse number 10: «When my father and my mother forsake me, then the Lord will care for me.» David boldly states that God cares for him. God cares for us, and this is the assurance that he shares with us. When you look at the psalm from verses 7, 8, and 9, he tells us about how he prayed when he was under attack. Now, in verse 10, he tells us about his deep and unfailing trust in God: «When my father and my mother forsake me, then the Lord will take care of me.» Whom do you trust to be there for you when everybody leaves? David says, «I trust the Lord to be there for me when everybody leaves.»
Now, David is the one God inspired to write this psalm, and we know from the story of David in the Bible that his father and mother did not forsake him; they were with him in the caves; they supported him. But David said, even if they abandoned me, if for some reason my father and mother are not there for me, the Lord will be there for me. It’s very important for us to understand that God’s love for us never changes; it’s unwavering. God will be with you when others have left you. Don’t ever equate other people forsaking you with God forsaking you, or when people leave you, think that God has left you, or when people betray you, think that God has betrayed you. Sometimes, your own family members may fight you; it doesn’t mean God is fighting you.
So, David is saying even if the people who love me the most turn against me, God will not turn against me. Many times, we equate the way people treat us with the way God is treating us, but people are not God. They may forsake you, abandon you, hurt you, turn against you, or betray you, but God is not hurting you. Don’t ever make the mistake of equating people’s attitudes with the attitude of God. «When my father and my mother forsake me, then the Lord will care for me.»
It is natural for people to forsake us when we’re under attack. Who wants to share the collateral damage? Sometimes, even your best friends don’t call you any longer, and nobody comes to encourage you because they have to keep their distance. Especially in a culture where people think that maybe God is the one punishing you, and if they get close to you, then God will add them to your punishment. So, everybody wants to stay in their corner and be safe. Sometimes, it may make you feel lonely. Make sure you don’t become bitter, don’t become angry, and don’t let so much hatred fill your heart because of what people do when you are under attack.
David says, «When my father and mother forsake me, then the Lord will take me.» Just trust God to care for you when other people leave you. When nobody gives you a call, listen to God; He’s giving you a call. He’s the one speaking to you from the Scriptures. If your friends don’t come to visit you, God’s Holy Spirit is with you all the time. Don’t let man be your backbone, and don’t trust in men to stand there with you all the time. Many times, the people who tell you, «I will never leave you, I’m going to stick with you,» are the ones who do. Remember Peter? He said to Jesus Christ, «I would not deny you,» and he did it three times. Human beings are human beings, and God is God. So, when people forsake you, trust God to care for you.
Let’s pray. Say with me, «Heavenly Father, thank you that when others leave, you are with me always. I know you care for me at all times. In Jesus' name, Amen.» Amen, my friend. God will never leave you, and He will never forsake you. I’m Pastor Mensa Otabil. Shalom, peace, and life to you.