You Delivered Them

My God, My God, why have You forsaken me? Why are You so far from helping me, And from the words of my groaning?

O My God, I cry in the daytime, but You do not hear; and in the night season, and am not silent.

But You are holy, enthroned in the praises of Israel.

Our fathers trusted in You; they trusted, and You delivered them.

They cried to You, and were delivered; they trusted in You, and were not ashamed.

But I am a worm, and no man; a reproach of men, and despised by the people.

All those who see me ridicule me; they shoot out the lip, they shake the head, saying, “He trusted in the Lord, let Him rescue Him; let Him deliver Him, since He delights in Him!”

But You are He who took me out of the womb; you made me trust while on my mother’s breasts.

I was cast upon You from birth. From My mother’s womb You have been My God.

Be not far from me, for trouble is near; for there is none to help.

Many bulls have surrounded me; strong bulls of Bashan have encircled me.

They gape at me with their mouths, like a raging and roaring lion.

I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint; my heart is like wax; it has melted within me.

My strength is dried up like a potsherd, and my tongue clings to my jaws; you have brought me to the dust of death.

For dogs have surrounded me; the congregation of the wicked has enclosed me.

They pierced my hands and my feet; I can count all my bones. They look and stare at me.

They divide my garments among them, and for my clothing they cast lots.

But You, O Lord, do not be far from me; O my strength, hasten to help me!

Deliver me from the sword, my precious life from the power of the dog.

Save me from the lion’s mouth and from the horns of the wild oxen!

You have answered me.

Psalm 22:1-21

The Bible gives us many examples of people who acted with faith despite their feelings of abandonment. Abram felt that God’s promise of an heir had gone unheeded. The psalmist felt ignored in his trouble. Job’s troubles were so great that he thought God might even kill him. And Jesus, from the cross cried out, “My God, My God, why have your forsaken me?”

God never forsakes His own. He has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”

We may boldly say, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid.”

God is always near in spite of our fears.

Our Daily Bread – September 16, 2015