Those who know your name trust in you,
for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you.
Psalm 9:10 NIV
Not Forsaken
This past July the federal government formally apologized to Dakota and Lakota Nations in Manitoba and Saskatchewan for historically recognizing them as refugees, a label that one chief says turned them into “second-class First Nation citizens.” Although many Dakota communities fought for the British against the United States during the War of 1812, and there is evidence that there were Dakota settlements in the 18th and 19th century across Canada’s west, they weren’t recognized as Indigenous people in Canada and the government refused to sign a deal with them.
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For over two centuries, the Dakota and Lakota Nations of western Canada have been forsaken by Canada’s federal government. That’s a very long time to feel that no one cares about you. King David knew what it was like to have people turn against him, and to be forsaken by even family members. It was a lonely and fearful time. How did he handle this? This is what he wrote in Psalm 9:10: “Those who know your name trust in you, for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you.” David knew that even if everyone else in the world, even those closest to him, turned their backs on him, the God in whom he trusted never would. Our God is the God who is with us – John’s Gospel tells us that Jesus came and tabernacled with us – set up His tent among us, so to speak. And when the Holy Spirit was unleashed on the Day of Pentecost, He took up residence within all those who trust in Jesus. He will never forsake you!
These have been words from the heart.
Bob Beasley