Psalm 22:1b “Why are you so far from saving me, so far from the words of my groaning?’
[This is how David felt: he received no immediate answer to his prayer, had no sense of presence, no visible support, no help, no guidance. For David this was a feeling, but not true. This was also true for Jesus on the cross: when He became sin for us, You, Father, turned your back on him, you were far from Him. You did not save Him from this suffering, because you Three had a greater plan.
So it is with us, as with my wife Barbara in her depression, you send us through suffering because you have a bigger, wider plan than our being comfortable, a plan which will accomplish much more and in a better way than what we desire. You gave us the pattern for this in the life of Job, who, suffering seemingly senseless loss, was actually playing a huge role in the cosmic battle and in bringing future comfort to millions across the millennia.
Psalm 22:2 “O my God, I cry out by day, but you do not answer, by night, and you are silent.”
[There are times when our prayers seem to go no further than the ceiling. These times are the of testing of our faith, a call to rest in the certainty of your goodness when there is no visible sign of it.
Jesus demonstrated this kind of faith on the cross and in His descent into death. Becoming sin for us, He was far from you, but in the midst of His separation He also trusted you fully, following through with your plan.
Glory be to you for your great wisdom and your persistence in carrying out your perfect plans. Help us to walk in faith, embracing those times of your silence, trusting you to act when the time is right.]
Psalm 22:3 “Yet you are enthroned as the Holy One;”
[David here reminds himself–and you, Lord–of who you are, the Perfect Presider, the Supreme Shepherd, the Righteous Ruler, the Glorious Guide, the Ever-faithful Father. The first thing we should do when we feel far from you, is to remember who you are–our great and good God.]
“you are the praise of Israel,” and of us!
[As we look over history and see how you faithfully protected, provided for and guided the Israelites through the centuries, it is so clear that you, in your unwavering love and care, are worthy of the praise of Israel.
And you are also worthy of our praise for your power and presence in our lives, for your goodness and grace, your faithfulness and fatherhood, your holiness and help, your greatness and glory.
In the light of this, we must praise you, O Lord God, for your complete knowledge, your deep wisdom, your mighty work, your powerful faithfulness, your persistent love and your unending goodness.
Today, whether I sense it or not, I can know that I am with you, that you love me, that you will guide me in the way I should go. I therefore surrender to you and praise you now for what you will do. May you be honored in my life this day as the Holy One, enthroned on high.]