The Sober Truth

Psalm 22:1 My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, so far from the words of my groaning?

I get it, Mr. Psalmist. I feel your pain and frustration. I know your hurt and loneliness. I understand this place. We all get here at times. We have moments where our prayers seem to be unheard. We have circumstances that appear to be unseen. "How could a loving God not answer me when I'm in agony?" And people quickly jump in and say, "Yeah! Where's God? He doesn't even care!" Interestingly enough, the psalmist follows his words with praise and adoration of God. I don't often think to follow up these words with that sentiment. So what question is appropriate when God seems to have gone MIA. What if it has more to do with where I am than where God is? The question isn't, "Where is God?" The question is, "Where am I?" I have to look at myself with sober judgement. God's probably not the issue, but I definitely could be. I have to take a serious look at my intentions. What am I seeking? Ease... Simplicity... Happiness... Satisfaction... Jesus will say these same words years and years later, but his groaning is a reality. His battle is for my life. He is left on the cross to bear my sin and to experience life without the Father on my behalf. My groaning is nothing. God has not forsaken me and He never will. It was finished by my friend and Savior, Jesus. Where am I, when it seems God has left? Who am I trusting, when it seems God has failed? Maybe praise and adoration is something I can learn from the psalmist when these words seem to find me.

Through the Valley

Psalm 23:4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

The psalmist begins the 23rd with the beauty of being with the Lord, "I shall not want...He makes me lie down in green pastures...He leads me beside still waters..." Then this verse. There is no going around the hard stuff. The psalmist walks through the valley. Ah, but there is goodness there too, "I will fear no evil, for you are with me..." Jesus is heading to Jerusalem. The road is not easy to travel to get there. He is going to take the long way, to revisit those places he's been before. He's going to walk the crooked path in order to make my path straight. He's going to fight the battle so that I can claim the victory. He isn't going to shy away and say, "Been there, done that." No, he's going to finish what he began. He's going to take the long road so I can have zero distance between God and me...even when I walk through the valley of the shadow of death. Jesus has been there, done that for himself and for me. He knows and understands it all, and He will comfort me. Goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life and through eternity. The psalmist understood this even before Jesus walked on the earth. God's incredible.

Soul Knowledge

Romans 8:17 Now if we are children, then we are heirs - heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.

This can be a difficult verse to handle with the "share in his sufferings" line. Why do we struggle so much with suffering? I have asked this question in the past, but this Lent it is really sticking with me. I think it is because during Lent everything related to Jesus and his journey to the cross all seems to be about suffering. Now, of course I know about the hope that comes in the end, but if jump to the end then I write off the suffering even quicker. In today's culture we avoid suffering and it isn't healthy. So I'm going to go there a bit, because I know Jesus did. I'm thinking back on those things that have caused suffering in my life, but I must admit that the first thing that comes to mind with the suffering memory is the work of the Holy Spirit in that time. Mom's illness is a big one for me. I will always remember the specific grace afforded me when we would go to church on those Sundays during her long battle. The way the Holy Spirit would envelope my spirit to walk alongside the church family through the difficult days. The soul knowledge of that feeling is with me to this day. I haven't physically felt it since, which is a bit of a bummer for me. Does that mean I wish for more suffering? Gosh, no! It just means that I view suffering with the mindset that I know God will be present in it, and that makes all the difference.

You Are Loved

Romans 8:38-39 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

This is one of my absolute most favorite verses. The world hands me some crummy stuff at times, as it does to us all, but this verse is a great reminder of the love of God in those moments. There is nothing in all creation that can keep God from loving us. Satan tried with sin, but even that was not enough to separate us from God for eternity. Yes, there was a separation that had to happen, but once Jesus came to fulfill the law and redeem us, we now have blessed assurance that we are fully, completely, and eternally God's. There is no longer anything or anyone that can come between my Creator and me because I am in Christ Jesus. This is true for all of us. We are loved to the cross, through our redemption, and into resurrection. There is no greater love than this, and that, my friends, is what makes Christianity different from anything other "religion." The world and everything in it, including you, is powerless against God's love. Surrender to it today.

The Third Miracle

Matthew 14:30 But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, "Lord, save me!"

I've been there. Not walking on water, but you get my meaning. I've asked God to lead me to a particular place. I head in the direction He has called from and, suddenly, I realize I am in the midst of chaos. I lose my sense of direction, and feel as if I am completely in the wrong place. The only one I can turn to is the One who led me there. I have cried out to God, just as Peter did, and God has been faithful to pull me back to the surface. It doesn't mean I wasn't sopping wet, get my water analogy there. :-) There is always a little something that stays with you after those moments, but that's what brings us closer to our Savior. It is just the thing we need to do. Ask Jesus to call us to Him when it seems impossible, like walking on water, and then we need to go to Him when He says come. Those are moments when we can grow closer to Him through the chaos that seems to be around. We can find salvation in the hand of the Savior reaching out to us on the journey He has called us to. Peter did, and look at what He was able to do through Christ. Amazing.

His Story In Mine

Psalm 71:16 I will come and proclaim your mighty acts, O Sovereign Lord; I will proclaim your righteousness, yours alone.

Today I am challenged to consider my personal memories of Jesus. He is on The Jericho Road remembering his years of ministry on his way to Jerusalem, reflecting on each and every individual and place he has known and touched. I want to do the same on my "Jericho Road." I want to reflect on the people in whom I have experienced Jesus. I want to think on, and go back to, the places where He and I have met. I want to revisit those moments of His power, His compassion, His holiness, His hope, His glory. Those are the things I want to remember this Lent. As I walk this Lenten Journey with Jesus, I want to consider where He and I have been together. I want to see how He has prepared every step and continues to move with me. I want my life to be about His story woven into mine.

A Sunday Prayer

Lord, You are the Great Healer. You bring hope to the broken world. My life is changed by the love I receive from You every day. Thank You for continuing to heal and transform me through our time together. May my life be a reflection of You. Amen.