Psalm 22… “The poor shall eat and be satisfied; those who seek him shall praise the LORD. May your hearts live forever! All the ends of the earth shall remember and turn to the LORD; and all the families of the nations shall worship before him.” vss. 26-27
Psalm 22 is familiar to most believers because it begins with the words Jesus uttered from the cross, “My God, my God why have you forsaken me?” According to Mark and Matthew these are the only words Jesus spoke as pain increased and death drew near. They’re a reminder for us that at the end of his life Jesus experienced alienation from God and deep despair. Not surprisingly many find in these words a point of connection with Jesus in their own suffering.
That’s why it’s important to remember that Psalm 22 didn’t end with a cry of pain and forsakenness. Indeed, among its concluding verses are these triumphant words of hope for all the earth. The story of salvation may have begun with a dying Jesus, but that’s not how it ends. And that’s how the story continues. Each of us will have many dark days in our lives, times when we feel estranged from one another and from God, but we have a God who is able to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat. One day the poor shall eat and be satisfied and our hearts will live forever.
Good Friday is always followed by Easter, even when it doesn’t feel like it!
Thought for the Day: A time when hope has rescued me.
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