Oct
9
Written by:
host
10/9/2009 7:00 AM
As I read the lectionary scriptures for this coming Sunday, I found myself drawn toward one of the psalms, Psalm 22:1-15. Psalms is the prayer book of the Bible, but some of the prayers do not seem to apply to my life. The language and the references are foreign to me. Upon a closer look, however, I realize there have been times when I prayed this psalm.
My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from helping me, from the words of my groaning?
God, where are you? I feel far away from you right now.
O my God, I cry by day, but you do not answer; and by night, but find no rest.
It is a dreary day, following a sleepless night.
Yet you are holy, enthroned on the praises of Israel.
I know that you are God and you are worthy of praise.
In you our ancestors trusted; they trusted, and you delivered them.
For longer than I can imagine, you have been faithful and trustworthy.
To you they cried, and were saved; in you they trusted, and were not put to shame.
You have been a source of help and comfort for all of your children.
But I am a worm, and not human; scorned by others, and despised by the people.
Right now I feel very small and alone.
All who see me mock at me; they make mouths at me, they shake their heads;
In the midst of a crowd, I feel friendless and lonely.
"Commit your cause to the LORD; let him deliver-- let him rescue the one in whom he delights!"
I am bombarded by societal messages that conflict with your message.
Yet it was you who took me from the womb; you kept me safe on my mother's breast.
When I was born, you were there with me.
On you I was cast from my birth, and since my mother bore me you have been my God.
Since day one you have been my God.
Do not be far from me, for trouble is near and there is no one to help.
Please help me to feel your presence. I know that you are there.
Many bulls encircle me, strong bulls of Bashan surround me;
The demands of life surround me;
they open wide their mouths at me, like a ravening and roaring lion.
Many people ask many things of me.
I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint; my heart is like wax; it is melted within my breast;
My cup has overflowed until it is empty. Life feels out of whack.
my mouth is dried up like a potsherd, and my tongue sticks to my jaws; you lay me in the dust of death.
I am drained and weary.
I know that you are there, God, just as you always have been. I need you.
~Sally Hoelscher