Psalm 22: 1 My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, so far from the words of my groaning? --NIV
In the name of the One Who was forsaken for our salvation, amen.
The first words of this psalm were spoken by our Savior as He hung on the cross. They should have been our words, and at times we feel as if God has forsaken us. Our Savior spoke these words as He endured the wrath of God in our place. The guilt of every sin that ever would be committed from the first sin of Adam to the last sin before Christ returns was our Savior's, and it caused the wrath of God to be focused on Him. He is the One Whom angels praised. He is the One Whom angels strengthened because a human body could not endure the burden of guilt so great.
The question was spoken as much for our sake as it was the sincere cry of an innocent One Whose God had turned away from Him. All His life He had been faithful to the Father. All His life He did the will of God, and now, when He was all alone, the Father turned His face away from Him and left Him to suffer. The question causes us to ponder the reason why God forsook Him. God turned away from Jesus so that we could be saved through His death.
When we fear the wrath of God because of our sin, we need only remember that Jesus placed Himself between us and the wrath of God. He took that wrath full force into Himself so that we might live at peace with God. Truly He gathers us under His wings as a hen gathers her chicks. We rest securely in the shadow of His cross as the burning sun of God's anger scorches everything around us. Praise be His name forever. Amen.
Prayer:
Dear Lord Jesus, we are the ones who deserved God's wrath, but in Your great mercy You suffered that wrath for us. We thank and praise You for this forever. Give us Your Holy Spirit, and keep us in the true faith that we may be with You in eternity, amen.