10 When my father and my mother forsake me, then the LORD will take me up.
It is possible that a Christian may be abandoned by his parents. Such tragic scenarios do happen in real life. In fact, Jesus had warned of such betrayals: “Now the brother shall betray the brother to death, and the father the son; and children shall rise up against their parents, and shall cause them to be put to death. And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved” (Mark 13:12-13).
David had, on occasion, felt forsaken by his own household. This we see in Psalm 69:8, “I am become a stranger unto my brethren, and an alien unto my mother’s children”; and in Psalm 31:11, “I was a reproach among all mine enemies, but especially among my neighbours, and a fear to mine acquaintance: they that did see me without fled from me.” Is it not also true that our Lord Jesus Christ “came unto his own, and his own received him not” (John 1:11)? Likewise, the apostle Paul lamented in 2 Timothy 4:16, “At my first answer no man stood with me, but all men forsook me”.
This shows how vain it is to put our trust in man, “for vain is the help of man” (Psalm 60:11; cf. Psalm 108:12). Indeed, “Put not your trust in princes, nor in the son of man, in whom there is no help” (Psalm 146:3). Even in times of need, it is best to wait upon the LORD. Craving for man’s help may not only end up in disappointment, but even peril at times.
Nonetheless, when men forsake us, be assured that “the LORD will take me up.” Men may hate us, but God shall show us His favour. We may be forsaken by all, but God shall have mercy upon us. “Forsaken by man, but favoured by God” has often been the experience of God’s children.
Let us not doubt the LORD’s favour upon all who trust in Him. The LORD declares in Isaiah 49:15, “Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee.” Are you perplexed that none of your nearest and dearest is by your side to comfort and strengthen you? Are you dismayed that all have forsaken you? Like David, stand in the promise of God’s unchanging presence. He is our very present help in our trouble (Psalm 46:1). The LORD is sure to help us, even though our natural parents may fail to render their support. God is our succour when others fail us.