Although John and Luke’s gospel accounts include multiple phrases that Jesus spoke on the cross, Matthew and Mark only include one phrase, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me” (Mark 15:34 NIV). Both Mark and Matthew make it seem that this was Jesus’ cry in agony after spending hours suffering upon the cross as his life was being extinguished. Some biblical scholars believe that Jesus’ words on the cross found in Matthew and Mark are there because Jesus felt abandoned by his Father in heaven. Yet a further study of Jesus’ words reveals that he was quoting Psalm 22. In the psalm, David’s prayer includes these words, “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” (Psalm 22:1-2 NIV).

 

 

Have you ever felt like God wasn’t listening to you or wasn’t helping you when you needed him? It seems as though Jesus felt forsaken and forgotten while he was dying upon the cross. Yet the prayer of Psalm 22 also includes these words, “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” (Psalm 22:4-5 NIV). This prayer points towards hope even when we feel forsaken. This prayer points towards the truth that God can be trusted. He has delivered his people in the past, and been their Savior, so continue to trust in him as our Deliverer and Savior today. Through Christ God has delivered us from death and saved us from our sins. Even when we don’t feel like God is with us, nor listening, nor answering our cry for help, we should continue to trust in the Lord. Jesus used some of his final words before dying upon the cross to remind us of the message of Psalm 22. We will not be disappointed if we continue to trust in God.

 

*For a full version of this Your Faith Journey devotional download the Worship Guide from the Avon UMC website: www.AvonUMC.com

 

 

The Your Faith Journey Bible verses for this week are listed below:

 

 

Today I am going to offer God ______________________________________________________________.

 

 

During the worship service God revealed ________________________________________________________________________________________.

 

 

I am going to respond by ________________________________________________________________________________________________________.

 

 

Read Isaiah 41:17.

Listen to “Who You Say I Am” by Hillsong Worship either using the link below or searching for the song on YouTube:

Pray in response to the verses and song.

 

 

Read Isaiah 49:13-16a and Psalm 66:1-5.

Praise God for what he has done in and through Jesus.

 

 

Read Jesus’ words on the cross from Mark 15:33-36 as well as part of the psalm Jesus quoted on the cross, Psalm 22:1-2.

Read some of the hymn lyrics from “O Love Divine, What Hast Thou

Done” by Charles Wesley:

Behold him, all ye that pass by, the bleeding Prince of life and peace!

Come, sinners, see your Savior die, and say, “Was ever grief like his?”

Come, feel with me his blood applied: My Lord, my Love, is crucified!

Pray in response to what Jesus has done for us.

 

 

Read Psalm 22:1-11 (you’ll be invited to read more verses from this psalm

next week).

Pray using the psalmists’ words to help guide your prayer.

 

 

Read Psalm 23.

Pray using the psalmists’ words as your own, and thank the Lord that he is our Shepherd walking with us through the darkest valleys.

 

 

Read the message God shared with the leader of the Hebrew people after Moses died in Joshua 1:1-6.

Listen to “Never Forsaken” by Hillsong Worship either by using the link below or searching for the song on YouTube:

Let the thought of God never forsaking you roll around in your mind for a few minutes, then pray in response to God’s message in the verses and song.

Consider observing the sabbath either today or tomorrow as a time to rest, reflect, and enjoy recreation. The questions below can be used to help with reflecting:

How did I see, hear, or encounter God during this past week?

Who needs to hear about my experience sometime in the coming days?

 

 

*If you do not have a Bible, consider downloading the YouVersion Bible App for free from the Apple App Store or Google Play for your smartphone or tablet. You can also use www.BibleGateway.com to look up and read various translations of Bible verses online.