FAY ROWE

He cried, “My God, My God, why have you forsaken Me?”

That was Jesus on the cross, quoting Psalm 22.

In this Psalm, David spent some time bemoaning his state. He was in trouble; people were mocking him and his trust in God; he felt weak, physically and emotionally. He cried out to God, saying God has made him trust since he was a small child.

“You have been my God, my strength!” David cried, almost as if he’s wondering where God is now.

About two thirds of the way into the psalm, in the New King James Version, an interesting comment stands alone with no indication of why it is there:

“You have answered me.”

From that point onward, David’s voice changed. He no longer bemoaned his present position and condition. Instead he turned to praise and a sort of prophecy:

“I will declare Your name to my brethren… All the ends of the world shall remember and turn to the Lord…a posterity shall serve him. It will be recounted of the Lord to the next generation, they will come and declare His righteousness to a people who will be born…” (Psalm 22:22-31).

I realize this psalm of David is considered prophetic of Jesus’ experience on the cross, but I can’t help but think of one of my favourite verses from Psalm 91. Referring to that trusting one who is held in the secret place of God’s presence, it says:

“He shall call upon me and I will answer him.”

Today, leave your place of prayer with assurance.

“He shall call upon and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him,” (Psalm 91:15).