I n case you have not forgotten, this is the Psalm Jesus quotes as he
writhes in agony on the cross. He speaks only verse 1, "My God, My
God, why have your forsaken me?" But his intent is to call all of
his followers to the Psalm in its entirety. And the verse above is
how that Psalm concludes. In quoting Psalm 22 Jesus is quickly
referencing the most complete Psalm in its exploration of the human
condition as it relates to faith in God. All of us who are believers
swing wildly from, "Where are you God?" to "You are pretty awesome
God!" But it seems to me that we spend a little too much time, as
Christians, in verse 1 and not enough time in verse 31. We tend to
get pretty prickly when we feel God has failed us, and often with
good reason, but do we really give God enough credit for all God has
done in our lives?
Think about it this way, what do you have that you love that does
not come from God? Your health? Well, God created that body of
yours. Your skills and talents? God gave them to you. Your friends
and family? God led you to them and they to you. See what I mean. We
like to think that in all our accomplishments and achievements that
we are the pure embodiment of the rugged individual, pulling
ourselves up by our boot straps and achieving in life. But more
often than not our achievements rest in and through the living God
we worship. All we have, all we are, all we will be are rooted in
the God who created this world and us along with it; the God who
saves us in Jesus Christ; the God who quickens us through the Holy
Spirit. So on this day I invite you to take a moment and celebrate
all that God has done for you. Look at the good things in your life,
those whom you love, the gifts you have been given, this beautiful
world you inhabit, and say to yourself and those around you, "God
has done it!"
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Prayer: Holy God, thank you so much for all you have done
for me. You have delivered me from the path of sin and death. You
have brought me into fellowship with my brothers and sisters in
Christ. You have given me skills and talents to serve you and
provide for myself and my family. Thank you, O great God. You have
done it. I pray in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
[text from file received by Phil Blackburn, First Presbyterian
Church]
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