Psalm 22

I think this captures the struggle we all face, but refuse to admit- at least publicly.

Sometimes, it really hurts to love God.

There are times when we feel distant from God because we sin, or because we just don't care. There are times God feels far off because it's been a while since we prayed or read His Word. But this psalm isn't about these. It's about being smack dab in the middle of where God wants you, and you want Him badly, but He seems distant. As if He's ignoring you.

And that goes against everything we've been taught in Sunday School and Church to believe about God. He is ALWAYS there. He will never leave us or forsake us.

So why then would Jesus, with His practically last words, quote this psalm? Why would He choose a psalm that accuses God of forsaking His beloved?

I haven't a clue.

I have guesses, though. Maybe these moment of God 'leaving' us are to remind of what that was like so we can better relate to those who do not know Christ. Maybe it is a test of faith to see if we will really cling to God. Maybe it's to get us to seek God in a different way.

None of that really matters in the context of the psalm. For all we know, David was just having a bad moment when he penned the opening words. What does matter is that by the end of the psalm, David has claimed that God will show up for the poor, the oppressed, the beaten. He believes it so much he talks of how he will celebrate when others see that God is still there and in control.

It's hard to trust God when it seems He isn't paying attention. But then, faith has never supposed to have been easy. If there were a formula or an incantation to get God to do what we wanted when we wanted it, then He would not be the wild God that calls to us in our heart.

God will do what God wants, we just need to trust that He is what He says He is: Good.