My God, My God

 Psalm 22:1-2 – a Psalm of David

"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."

David wrote this Psalm at a time that he felt abandoned by God.  I wonder if there are days and nights that we feel this way.  We cry out to God, but we don’t seem to hear His answer.  He seems so far away.  We cry to him at night and sleep doesn’t come.  We’re looking for light – the shining, brilliant, light of God’s presence – and we don’t see it.

This morning, in our devotion, Allister Begg spoke of God being with us in the dark.  An interesting side note was his description of a child being afraid of the dark.  The light that the child wants is given to him at first, bright and full, but as he learns to trust, the parent allows less light until finally, the child can sleep without a night light – because he has learned to trust his parent. 

I wonder if I am able to trust our God that completely as I "grow up" in my knowledge of Him? 
 
Allister did say that this night light scenario becomes a bit ludicrous when the child is 27 years old.  Case in point, at 85, and having walked with God for many years, I hope that I have  learned to trust my Father, God.

Light is an amazing thing.  Just as the light of the sun that God created is necessary for our health. The light of the SON OF GOD is beautiful and absolutely necessary for our happiness, salvation and security. 

The analogy continues when we realize that the sun God created is always there.  We don’t always see it – the world turns – the clouds cover it – and sometimes we are unable to see anything.  But that doesn’t change the fact that this sun is always there.

And the SON OF GOD is always there for us.  In the Psalm, David cried out.  He felt that God had forsaken him.  He asked the question we sometimes do – “Why do I not hear your voice or see your face?”

If David, the man referred to as “a man after God’s own heart” questioned, feared, and cried, should we be surprised when we do the same?

But wait!  We need to read on – Psalm 22:3 (NIV) David sang these words, “Yet, you are enthroned as the Holy One; you are the one Israel praises.”

David was a student of the Word; he knew our God.  He knew that God was and is able to protect and care for His own.  So in His prayers of anguish he doesn’t forget that GOD IS KING – God is sitting on the throne of heaven.  David doesn’t forget either, that GOD IS HOLY – "the Holy one that Israel praises." 

When we read other verses in the Bible, anthems of praise to God ring out loud and clear.  Yet, we sometimes wish for more of a look into the face of our Father, just as David did.  Don't we?

BUT

Matt 28:20b (NIV) 

Jesus said, “And surely, I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Isaiah 40:28-31 (NIV)

Do you not know? Have you not heard?

The Lord is the everlasting God,
the Creator of the ends of the earth.

He will not grow tired or weary,
and his understanding no one can fathom.

He gives strength to the weary
and increases the power of the weak.

 Even youths grow tired and weary,
and young men stumble and fall;

 but those who hope in the Lord  will renew their strength.

They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,

    they will walk and not be faint.

My friend, never forget that the sun is always there – somewhere,

and that the SON is always there –
EVERYWHERE!