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Read: Psalm 22:1-6 Consider: Those opening words are always a little shocking to us—“My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” We try so hard to keep our faith strong. When we’re teetering on the edge of despair we try not to utter words of hopelessness. And yet, here they are. And the power of this phrase is not only that it was composed by David, but that it was quoted by Jesus from the cross.
Artur Weiser says, “To Christian memories this psalm is sacred, because Jesus used its opening words in his prayer on the Cross. The song first leads us down into the uttermost depths of suffering, a suffering which brought the worshipper to the brink of the grave and reduced him to utter despair. It then soars to the heights of a hymn of praise and thanksgiving, sung in response to the answering of the prayer, and of a vision which ranges over a wide field and is achieved by the power of a triumphant faith.” Yes, there is triumphant faith in this psalm, but first there is despair. Frederick Buechner points out that in these words spoken from the cross we see God feeling God-forsaken. Have you ever felt God-forsaken? Does it help you to know that Jesus did too? Pray: Thank the Lord for the honestly of His word. Thank Him that you never have to hide from or run from your despair and doubt. You only have to bring them to Him.
Read: Psalm 22:1-18 and Matthew 27:27-46 Consider: It is impossible for us to understand the suffering that Jesus went through on our behalf. Yet this psalm was written for us. We can place ourselves in it. We may not identify with intense physical suffering but, as Weiser points out, in this psalm “it is not so much the physical suffering which lays the lamenting worshipper so low as the anguish of mind caused by his calamity.” It is the deep anguish that says, “Maybe I am alone. Maybe God has forsaken me.” There is hope on the way in this psalm, but first let’s remember that before the circumstance changes, God is still with us. Even though we feel God-forsaken we can have the knowledge that God enters into our suffering. Pray: Thank Him that His presence is not dependent on our awareness of it. He promised that He would never leave us or forsake us (Deuteronomy 3:16). Thank Him that He is always there. Ask for His help today in being aware of His presence.
Read: Psalm 13:1-4 and Hebrews 4:14-16 Consider: Of the many things that happened while Jesus walked this earth there is one that is celebrated in Hebrews 4:15: “We do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was without sin.” Part of the incarnation—the “enfleshment”—of God in Christ is God entering into our sufferings. He has and does experience our pain. When you feel God-forsaken you are feeling something that Jesus has experienced. He doesn’t condemn you for lack of faith, but He enters into your suffering. Your cry has become His cry and your pain resides in Him. You are not alone. Pray: Ask Jesus to help you connect the truth of His humanity with the experience or your humanity.
Read: Psalm 13 Consider: How do you make the turn from verses 1-4 to verses 5-6? There is quite a difference between… “Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me? How long must I wrestle with my thoughts and every day have sorrow in my heart?” (1-2) …and… “I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation. I will sing to the Lord, for he has been good to me.” (5-6) It sounds like two different people writing two different psalms. I believe the answer is that we see the same dynamic in this psalm as we see in Psalm 22. Our greatest torment is not our external circumstances. Our greatest torment is the doubt we have as to whether or not God cares about us and our circumstances. Therefore the triumph is not found in the change of circumstances, but in the change of perspective—“I trust in your unfailing love.” Pray: “Lord, renew my faith. Teach me to trust in Your unfailing love. When I can’t understand Your action (or what seems like lack of action) help me to trust Your heart.”
Read: Psalm 22:19-24 Consider: My favorite phrase in this psalm is verse 24… “For he has not despised or disdained the suffering of the afflicted one; he has not hidden his face from him but has listened to his cry for help.” In my suffering He has not despised, disdained or hidden. He’s not blaming me. He’s not weary of my cries for help. He’s not wishing I’d just go away. He doesn’t grow weary of my suffering in the way that I could grow weary of someone else’s suffering. He is my Father and He loves me beyond what I can imagine. I cannot ignore the suffering of my children. How much more will my Heavenly Father not ignore (despise, disdain or hide from) my suffering. Pray: Thank Him for His “unfailing love” (Psalm 13:5).
Read: Psalm 22:1-31 Consider: As you read this psalm in its entirety you get a panoramic view of life. It speaks of despair and suffering, but it also speaks of joy and hope. To me part of the beauty of this psalm is that it ends by speaking about the future. Isn’t that what hope is—having a future? It is knowing that the God of the universe cares about me today and cares about my tomorrows. Our future is rooted in our past. We see this throughout the Bible. In the Old Testament the people referred to God as "the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob." This was a way of identifying Him—distinguishing Him from the false gods of the day. But it was also a reminder. It was a way of proclaiming that the God who did great things in our past is still our God. In the New Testament we read it this way… “Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” (Hebrews13:7-8) In other words, what He did in and through them He can still do in and through us! That’s the conclusion of the 22nd Psalm… “…future generations will be told about the Lord. They will proclaim his righteousness to a people yet unborn—for he has done it.” (22:30-31) Because of what He has done we can trust Him for our future. Pray: Praise Him for what He has done for His people. Thank Him that you can trust Him. |
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