Free to be Comforted
It is a common occurrence and happens just when we don’t need it.
When it does happen for us Christians, it often makes us feel even worse… doubting even our faith It’s crazy in a way – but in spite of how we feel, the truth bears no resemblance to what we perceive
For the Christian, the presence of God has always been a great comfort “He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.” (Psalm 91:4, NIV)
All too often when in distress, especially deep distress, God often seems to have abandoned us → song ‘As long as You are Glorified’ “Are You good only when I prosper , and true only when I’m filled? Are You King only when I’m carefree, and God only when I’m well?”
Our questions today are: How normal is this sense of being abandoned?
When we feel this way does it mean our faith is weak or that God is displeased with us?
Most of all, we want to see God remains God and remains true to us, regardless our circumstances You are good when I’m poor and needy, You are true when I’m parched and dry You still reign in the deepest valley, You’re still God in the darkest night
- DAVID ON HIS FATHER’S LAP
- THE SON’S ‘WHY?’
- COMFORTED ON MY FATHER’S LAP
Readings reproduced on this page:
The Holy Bible: New International Version. 1996, 1984. Grand Rapids: Zondervan
Readings
Matthew 27:32–54 (NIV84)
32As they were going out, they met a man from Cyrene, named Simon, and they forced him to carry the cross.
33They came to a place called Golgotha (which means The Place of the Skull).
34There they offered Jesus wine to drink, mixed with gall; but after tasting it, he refused to drink it.
35When they had crucified him, they divided up his clothes by casting lots.
36And sitting down, they kept watch over him there.
37Above his head they placed the written charge against him: this is jesus, the king of the jews.
38Two robbers were crucified with him, one on his right and one on his left.
39Those who passed by hurled insults at him, shaking their heads
40and saying, “You who are going to destroy the temple and build it in three days, save yourself! Come down from the cross, if you are the Son of God!”
41In the same way the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the elders mocked him.
42“He saved others,” they said, “but he can’t save himself! He’s the King of Israel! Let him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in him.
43He trusts in God. Let God rescue him now if he wants him, for he said, ‘I am the Son of God.’ ”
44In the same way the robbers who were crucified with him also heaped insults on him.
45From the sixth hour until the ninth hour darkness came over all the land.
46About the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?”—which means, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”
47When some of those standing there heard this, they said, “He’s calling Elijah.”
48Immediately one of them ran and got a sponge. He filled it with wine vinegar, put it on a stick, and offered it to Jesus to drink.
49The rest said, “Now leave him alone. Let’s see if Elijah comes to save him.”
50And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit.
51At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook and the rocks split.
52The tombs broke open and the bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life.
53They came out of the tombs, and after Jesus’ resurrection they went into the holy city and appeared to many people.
54When the centurion and those with him who were guarding Jesus saw the earthquake and all that had happened, they were terrified, and exclaimed, “Surely he was the Son of God!”
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Text
Psalm 22 (NIV84)
For the director of music. To the tune of “The Doe of the Morning.” A psalm of David.
1My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, so far from the words of my groaning?
2O my God, I cry out by day, but you do not answer, by night, and am not silent.
3Yet you are enthroned as the Holy One; you are the praise of Israel.
4In you our fathers put their trust; they trusted and you delivered them.
5They cried to you and were saved; in you they trusted and were not disappointed.
6But I am a worm and not a man, scorned by men and despised by the people.
7All who see me mock me; they hurl insults, shaking their heads:
8“He trusts in the Lord; let the Lord rescue him. Let him deliver him, since he delights in him.”
9Yet you brought me out of the womb; you made me trust in you even at my mother’s breast.
10From birth I was cast upon you; from my mother’s womb you have been my God.
11Do not be far from me, for trouble is near and there is no one to help.
12Many bulls surround me; strong bulls of Bashan encircle me.
13Roaring lions tearing their prey open their mouths wide against me.
14I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint. My heart has turned to wax; it has melted away within me.
15My strength is dried up like a potsherd, and my tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth; you lay me in the dust of death.
16Dogs have surrounded me; a band of evil men has encircled me, they have pierced my hands and my feet.
17I can count all my bones; people stare and gloat over me.
18They divide my garments among them and cast lots for my clothing.
19But you, O Lord, be not far off; O my Strength, come quickly to help me.
20Deliver my life from the sword, my precious life from the power of the dogs.
21Rescue me from the mouth of the lions; save me from the horns of the wild oxen.
22I will declare your name to my brothers; in the congregation I will praise you.
23You who fear the Lord, praise him! All you descendants of Jacob, honor him! Revere him, all you descendants of Israel!
24For he has not despised or disdained the suffering of the afflicted one; he has not hidden his face from him but has listened to his cry for help.
25From you comes the theme of my praise in the great assembly; before those who fear you will I fulfill my vows.
26The poor will eat and be satisfied; they who seek the Lord will praise him— may your hearts live forever!
27All the ends of the earth will remember and turn to the Lord, and all the families of the nations will bow down before him,
28for dominion belongs to the Lord and he rules over the nations.
29All the rich of the earth will feast and worship; all who go down to the dust will kneel before him— those who cannot keep themselves alive.
30Posterity will serve him; future generations will be told about the Lord.
31They will proclaim his righteousness to a people yet unborn— for he has done it.
