Daily Devotionals
Daily Devotional: Psalms 22:1-8
Ps 22:1-8
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? O my God, I cry out by day, but you do not answer, by night, and am not silent. Yet you are enthroned as the Holy one; you are the praise of Israel. In you our fathers put their trust; they trusted and you delivered them. They cried to you and were saved; in you they trusted and were not disappointed. But I am a worm and not a man, scorned by men and despised by the people. All who see me mock me; they hurl insults, shaking their heads: "He trusts in the LORD; let the LORD rescue him. Let him deliver him, since he delights in him."
Matt 27:45-50
From the sixth hour until the ninth hour darkness came over all the land. About the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, "Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?"-which means, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" When some of those standing there heard this, they said, "He's calling Elijah." Immediately one of them ran and got a sponge. He filled it with wine vinegar, put it on a stick, and offered it to Jesus to drink. The rest said, "Now leave him alone. Let's see if Elijah comes to save him." And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit.
In order for a person to ride a horse, the horse must first be broken. This means that this mighty beast must learn that the person is in control, even though it never loses its strength or its ability to do as it pleases. It learns that the person is going to ride on his or her back and that things will get better by submission.
Paul said that he despaired beyond his ability so that he could learn to trust the God who would deliver him. Did God allow him to suffer beyond his ability to bear it? The answer is YES! It was only when Paul allowed the power of the Spirit to work in him and by faith he submitted to the will of God, that he learned all things work together for good to those who love the Lord. Will God allow us to be tried, tempted, and tested beyond our ability to bear it? Yes, he will, as long as we are trying to fix it ourselves, and as long as we are depending on our own strength.
O Lord God, giver of life and all good things, I need greater faith to be able to trust you in all things in my life. I want to trust you enough that I do not worry at all but leave it all up to you. I want to trust you enough that I live with a constant joy and peace of mind. You know that I struggle with giving up self and fixing things for myself. Forgive me and give me your wisdom and your strength. Use me to help others in their struggles also. Help me use my life to honor you, to lead others to you, and to be an encourager to all around me. I pray in the name of Jesus.
Robert
