Psalm 22 - Abandonment (Good Friday Devotions)

Today is Friday, April 10, 2020. Today is GOOD Friday.
It's good because it's the day we remember that Jesus gave His life on a cross so we could be forgiven and healed: of the evil we've done and the good we've left undone.

But the toughest part wasn't just His physical suffering, it was being cut off from His Father in heaven. Which is why Jesus cried out:
"My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?" Psalm 22:1 (New Living Translation)  

He was quoting from a psalm that was prophetic of His Crucifixion:
"They pierced my hands and feet... they divide my garments among themselves and throw dice for my clothing" (vv.16,18)

Even though God has promised to never fail us or abandon us (Hebrews 13:5), there are times when we certainly feel like it, and wonder if we're somehow abandoned. 

Yet the very psalm that starts with "My God... why have you abandoned me?" concludes with Hope. The rest of the Psalm 22 must have been running through Jesus' mind, verses like:
Psalm 22:9–10 (NLT) — 9 Yet you brought me safely from my mother’s womb and led me to trust you at my mother’s breast. 10 I was thrust into your arms at my birth. You have been my God from the moment I was born.
Psalm 22:27–28 (NLT) — 27 The whole earth will acknowledge the Lord and return to him. All the families of the nations will bow down before him. 28 For royal power belongs to the Lord. He rules all the nations.

The psalm concludes with the hope that ultimately anticipates the Resurrection of Easter:
Psalm 22:30–31 (NLT) — 30 Our children will also serve him. Future generations will hear about the wonders of the Lord. 31 His righteous acts will be told to those not yet born. They will hear about everything he has done.

Lord, even when we cry out with our questions and our fears, assure us with the hope of Your resurrection. Amen.

Were you there when they crucified my Lord?
Were you there when they crucified my Lord?
Ohhh.. sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble...
Were you there when they crucified my Lord?

Were you there when they laid Him in the tomb?
Were you there when they laid Him in the tomb?
Ohhh.. sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble...
Were you there when they laid Him in the tomb?

Were you there when He rose up from the grave?
Were you there when He rose up from the grave?
Ohhh.. sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble...
Were you there when He rose up from the grave?