Forsaken
My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?
Why are you so far from saving me,
so far from my cries of anguish?
My God, I cry out by day, but you do not answer,
by night, but I find no rest.
Psalm 22:1-2
Where do you go to in your darkest moments? For many people across history, they have turned to song. Long before headphones, nursery rhymes, hymns and national songs have been a source of hope and strength in times of suffering. Many of the Psalms themselves were written for exactly this purpose.
At the cross, when Jesus cries out, “My Lord, My Lord, why have you forsaken me?” He's actually quoting Psalm 22. A Psalm about the Godly King who initially feels abandoned by God. He is surrounded by enemies. Tired. Weak.
But the Psalmist cries out to God and reminds Himself and others that God is His strength. That the Lord is worthy of all praise. That He is the provider. That He is the ruler of the world and that He listens to the cry of His people.
The Psalm ends in a cry of triumphant hope. People from all nations will turn to the Lord. All will bow the knee. Generations will praise the Lord. The final line of the Psalm, “He has done it!”, is a declaration of victory that God has rescued His annointed King and His people.
So… when Jesus cries out at the cross, the first line of Psalm 22. Is it just a line that captures His physical, emotional and spiritual state? It is, but what if it’s much more. What if it’s also a cry that reminds Him and His listeners that God rescues His anointed? What if it isn’t a cry of despair but of hope and a declaration to all who pay attention of Jesus’ great trust in the Father.
That’s what I reckon.
Today:
Pray:
Why are you so far from saving me,
so far from my cries of anguish?
My God, I cry out by day, but you do not answer,
by night, but I find no rest.
Psalm 22:1-2
Where do you go to in your darkest moments? For many people across history, they have turned to song. Long before headphones, nursery rhymes, hymns and national songs have been a source of hope and strength in times of suffering. Many of the Psalms themselves were written for exactly this purpose.
At the cross, when Jesus cries out, “My Lord, My Lord, why have you forsaken me?” He's actually quoting Psalm 22. A Psalm about the Godly King who initially feels abandoned by God. He is surrounded by enemies. Tired. Weak.
But the Psalmist cries out to God and reminds Himself and others that God is His strength. That the Lord is worthy of all praise. That He is the provider. That He is the ruler of the world and that He listens to the cry of His people.
The Psalm ends in a cry of triumphant hope. People from all nations will turn to the Lord. All will bow the knee. Generations will praise the Lord. The final line of the Psalm, “He has done it!”, is a declaration of victory that God has rescued His annointed King and His people.
So… when Jesus cries out at the cross, the first line of Psalm 22. Is it just a line that captures His physical, emotional and spiritual state? It is, but what if it’s much more. What if it’s also a cry that reminds Him and His listeners that God rescues His anointed? What if it isn’t a cry of despair but of hope and a declaration to all who pay attention of Jesus’ great trust in the Father.
That’s what I reckon.
Today:
- What do you think? Take a read of Psalm 22
- Did God rescue Jesus? How?
- Do you feel like you are under the pump? How are you trusting God in that?
Pray:
- Praise the Father that He is the God who listens to the cry of His people.
- Give thanks for Jesus who endured the cross in trust of the Father.
- Ask God for His Holy Spirit to help you and others put your trust and hope in God in all circumstances.
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