We know those words, those of us familiar with the Bible.
1 My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from helping me, from the words of my groaning?
The opening of this psalm is what we hear from the lips of Jesus as he was suffering, dying, in the agony of betrayal, misunderstanding, misrepresentation, like a die spun in the power dynamics between Herod and high priest, Pilate and public.
And we, who have a slim (in comparison) understanding of how such vicious, greedy, power grabbing, political intrigue presents its drama on the world stage, probably do feel that he really felt abandoned by God.
Do you ever want to say to God,
2 O my God, I cry by day, but you do not answer, and by night but find no rest?
Have you ever felt forsaken? I have; but at such times, it was just the sector of people to whom I had ascribed too much worth, who had forsaken me. There was my family- the rock of a family that stood by me, the family for whom I’m ever so grateful.
I suppose we allow ourselves to feel forsaken when we forget that those whom we overvalue are also players in that foolish drama on life’s stage. When we breathe in the reality that supporters remain, we too, can recall that there is the larger picture of God- bigger than them all. And like the psalmist, and like dying Jesus, we know the truth about God
3 Yet you are holy, enthroned on the praises of Israel. 4 In you our ancestors trusted. They trusted, and you delivered them. 5 To you they cried and were saved. In you they trusted and were not put to shame.
And so he died, by choice, and rose victorious to finish God’s plan.
So let us all take heart in trouble and declare the truth and claim the strength of divine support that was there from before Day One- before our birth and all the while behind the trouble makers’ drama..
9 Yet it was you who took me from the womb. you kept me safe on my mother’s breast. 10 On you I was cast from my birth, and since my mother bore me you have been my God. 11 Do not be far from me, for trouble is near and there is no one to help.
And know for sure that the strongest bulls don’t have the last say. And dogs of evil doers cannot win. And horned animals cannot hook you out of God’s hand.
28 For dominion belongs to the Lord. Amen