When we lament in the face of death and what accompanies it, we follow our Lord Jesus:
Matthew 27:45-46
About three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” (which means “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”).
Psalm 22 from which Jesus prayed on the cross begins with lament, in dark loneliness – the reality of death surrounding one who belongs to God:
1 My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?
The psalm moves between two realities of present suffering and the Holy One and lands in a place of trust:
2 My God, I cry out by day, but you do not answer…
3 Yet you are enthroned as the Holy One…
4 In you our ancestors put their trust;
they trusted and you delivered them.
9 Yet you brought me out of the womb;
you made me trust in you…
19 LORD, you are my strength; come quickly to help me.
The promise now fulfilled which ends the psalm fills us with joy –
29 …All who go down to the dust will kneel before him—
those who cannot keep themselves alive.
30 Posterity will serve him;
future generations will be told about the Lord.
31 They will proclaim his righteousness,
declaring to a people yet unborn:
He has done it!
Prayer:
Jesus, thank you that by your death you made it possible for a people yet unborn to know righteousness. Fill us to proclaim in every place you have called us, “He has done it!” In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Let’s worship the Lord in song with “I have a savior” by Cece Winans, featuring Leland (click here).
– BR