Tuesday

Psalm 22:11-21

Do not be far from me,
for trouble is near
and there is no one to help.
Many bulls surround me;
strong bulls of Bashan encircle me.
Roaring lions tearing their prey
open their mouths wide against me.
I am poured out like water,
and all my bones are out of joint.
My heart has turned to wax;
it has melted away within me.
My strength is dried up like a potsherd,
and my tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth;
you lay me in the dust of death.
Dogs have surrounded me;
a band of evil men has encircled me,
they have pierced my hands and my feet.
I can count all my bones;
people stare and gloat over me.
They divide my garments among them
and cast lots for my clothing.
But you, O LORD, be not far off;
O my Strength, come quickly to help me.
Deliver my life from the sword,
my precious life from the power of the dogs.
Rescue me from the mouth of the lions;
save me from the horns of the wild oxen.

Some of the words in this passage describe exactly what happened to Jesus on the cross. As a result, He cried out asking why God had forsaken Him. Of course, He knew the answer. God did it for us. Jesus was forsaken in that moment so that we would never be. So that we could "come nigh to God"; could be called "children of God"; could know with utter certainty that He will "never leave" us.

When I ask why it seems like God lets me get into terrible fixes or doesn't rescue me when things go badly, I don't have one comprehensive answer, but a few partial ideas. Some things are ill effects from my own actions, lessons I can only learn the hard way. Some are a way to change and grow me, teach me empathy to others' plights, teach me to "trust God when there is no apparent evidence of Him -- as Job did. Trusting in His ultimate goodness."*

Someday there will be a new heaven and a new earth. Then all will be perfect, and by God's grace I will understand that His will was perfect all along.

JSC

*Disappointment with God, Philip Yancey, page 224