My last post about not writing for an entire month is rather laughable now considering I haven’t sat down to write in 4 months. I don’t have a good reason for not writing. I just allowed other things to take up my time and writing fell to the wayside. But I am back…
For the past year there has been so much political bickering between parties. That tension and discord has been felt throughout our nation but amazingly in the last 10 days, politics has taken a back seat to our current national struggle – Covid 19 – the Corona virus. It has stopped us in our tracks. Schools and businesses have shut down. Individuals and families on quarantine if they have been exposed to the virus. Fears mounting as the numbers of infected are growing exponentially. Health care facilities maxed out with a shortage of basic medical supplies. It certainly has changed the landscape of our communities, our state, and our nation. Political bickering doesn’t seem important when we are fighting a battle of life and death.
That brings me to today’s passage. While this Psalm is a little longer, I would encourage you to read through it. Today I am quoting from the Passion Version. David’s song is one of anguish – maybe you can relate:
God, my God! Why would you abandon me now? Why do you remain distant, refusing to answer my tearful cries in the day and my desperate cries for your help in the night? I can’t stop sobbing. Where are you, my God? ~ Psalm 22:1-2
Clearly David is struggling mightily. David felt abandoned – he felt desperate – he wanted relief.
Today you might be struggling – you might feel desperate – you might want relief.
The beautiful thing about the Psalm is that even in his pain, David recognized the Lord is faithful. We pick this up with David acknowledging the God is most holy and he praises him for his faithfulness. Let’s pick up what David is saying:
Our fathers’ faith was in you – through the generations they trusted and believed in you and you came through. Every time they cried out to you in their despair, you were faithful to deliver them; you didn’t disappoint them. ~ Psalm 22:4-5
Since the day I was born, I’ve been placed in your custody. You’ve cradled me throughout my days. I’ve trusted in you and you’ve always been my God. So don’t leave me now; stay lose to me! For trouble is all around me and there’s no one else to help me. ~ Psalm 22:10-11
And while David acknowledges the faithfulness of the Lord, he also lets the Lord know just how much he is struggling. How about you? When you reach out in prayer, do you tell the Lord how you are feeling? It is OK if you are struggling. David knew his enemy was all around him and he prayed in anguish recognizing that the Lord would be his strength and deliverer. If you are struggling today, pour our your heart to the Lord – read Psalm 22 – embrace the promises of the Lord – reach out to a friend (by phone, email, or text since we need to practice social distancing) – know that you aren’t alone.