Words to Call Our Attention to God

Bible Verse:
My God, my God, why hast Thou forsaken me? Far from my deliverance are the words of my groaning. O my God, I cry by day, but Thou dost not answer; And by night, but I have no rest. Yet Thou art holy, O Thou who art enthroned upon the praises of Israel. Ps 22:1-3

My thought for today is the agony of seemingly unanswered prayer establishes a foundation for us to choose to walk by faith and not by sight. One of Christ’s final sayings while hanging on the cross was to quote the beginning of today’s scripture passage. Jesus alone, afraid, naked and in extreme pain cried out to God and then surrendered His all as He submitted His will for that of the Father’s.

We are called to live out our faith journey with comparable determination. At times the road and cross that we bear may be almost unbearable, but yet we are to continue along the journey of life trusting that God will ultimately save us.

It is OK to cry out to God. Jesus demonstrated this in His cry for mercy and the embrace of God. He did not stop there to wallow in self piety with woe is me as a battle anthem. He turn His attention away from His present circumstances to begin to praise God for who He is and what He has done in the lives of people who love Him and are called according to His purpose.

We at times may be at our fits end. This is not a time of giving up, but rather of time of surrendered prayer where we praise God for who He is and what He has already done. Surrender is easy when life is good. The challenges of life make it more difficult because we may be called to suffer physically or mentally, endure separation or sorrow, or be patient as we turn our attention toward God.

Jesus had a choice, as do you and I. During His deepest, darkest hour He chose God over self. We too may face this dilemma many times in our lives and how we react will either draw us closer to God or separate us further. Be of good cheer Christ has overcome death and has gone to prepare a place for you and I and will be return soon to call us home. Let’s remain faithful until He comes.

Does your life feel out of control, pray? Are you stretched too thin, surrender? Has the circumstances of life pinned you to the ground, kneel and pray? God is waiting on our response, so let’s not disappoint Him.

Bob