Bring God In

Psalm 22:1-5 My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?  Why are you so far away when I groan for help?  2 Every day I call to you, my God, but you do not answer.  Every night I lift my voice, but I find no relief.  3 Yet you are holy, enthroned on the praises of Israel.  4 Our ancestors trusted in you, and you rescued them.  5 They cried out to you and were saved. They trusted in you and were never disgraced.

This week's study for our women at church was prophecy.  Specifically Messianic (Jesus related) prophecy from the Old Testament that was fulfilled in the New Testament by Jesus Christ. These verses above spoke of Jesus' time on the Cross where He took our sin and cleansed us from all unrighteousness.

Imagine the suffering Jesus was experiencing at this moment.  The agony.  I can't.  I get upset when I stub my toe.  While He hung there He took care of His mother, the thief on the cross next to Him, and even forgave those who had put Him there (that includes you and me). 

But this Psalm leads us to another truth.  It's the wonderful blessings of praise.  When we suffer, when we go through the dark valleys of this life, praise brings God's Presence to our sphere of existence.  It enthrones Him higher than our troubles and heartaches.  It reminds us He is with us, even when we don't see the answers we are looking for, even if He seems distance and we feel abandoned.  Praise takes our eyes off of everything going on and sets them on the One who is high and lifted up.  It tells our hearts, the spiritual world around us and our God that we trust and reverence Him above all else.  

I can't remember noting this before and I was so excited to see it.  As I've been working on not complaining, I realize that praise is the perfect replacement for griping.  This whole Scriptural God visit complimented the promise I made this Lenten season.  

Lord, give us the grace to praise You in everthying.  To be thankful and trust You.  Replace our fears, our doubts, our worries and our complaints with praise and I know we will see You come into our circumstances and we will come into You Presence where we can find rest.  You are awesome and wonderful and I glorify You Name.