| Fear and Trust |
A very touching moment in the gospels occurs during Jesus' crucifixion when he cries out from the cross, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" At that moment, Jesus felt abandoned by God as he suffered and endured this trial.
But when he cried these words, citing Psalm 22:1, he also spoke prophetically about the promises that God had made concerning salvation and the role of the Messiah.
Psalm 22 begins on a note of despair with these words: "My God, my God, why have your forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, so far from the words of my groaning?" In his experience, the writer feels abandoned by God. But not completely. He alternates between lamenting over his experience and trying to live by trust in God. For example, after asking why God has forsaken him, he next says, "Yet you are enthroned as the Holy One." He has no doubt that God is over him and he needs to live his life under God.
This psalm represents the times in our lives that we are shaken. We all experience ups and downs in our life, even in our faith, and this psalm gives us permission to speak directly to God about our deepest fears and hurts. But it also reminds us to remember God, and that even when we feel abandoned by God, that God is still over us, watching us, and able to save us. We need to rest in him.
Today, if you encounter trouble, pray openly and honestly to God about it. Do not be afraid to tell God exactly how you feel. But stay connected to him in trust.
But when he cried these words, citing Psalm 22:1, he also spoke prophetically about the promises that God had made concerning salvation and the role of the Messiah.
Psalm 22 begins on a note of despair with these words: "My God, my God, why have your forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, so far from the words of my groaning?" In his experience, the writer feels abandoned by God. But not completely. He alternates between lamenting over his experience and trying to live by trust in God. For example, after asking why God has forsaken him, he next says, "Yet you are enthroned as the Holy One." He has no doubt that God is over him and he needs to live his life under God.
This psalm represents the times in our lives that we are shaken. We all experience ups and downs in our life, even in our faith, and this psalm gives us permission to speak directly to God about our deepest fears and hurts. But it also reminds us to remember God, and that even when we feel abandoned by God, that God is still over us, watching us, and able to save us. We need to rest in him.
Today, if you encounter trouble, pray openly and honestly to God about it. Do not be afraid to tell God exactly how you feel. But stay connected to him in trust.
