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Up and Down

6/11/2015

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Psalm 69:1-16.  Click here for the reading.

My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?
    Why are you so far away when I groan for help?
Every day I call to you, my God, but you do not answer.

    Every night I lift my voice, but I find no relief.


Yet you are holy, enthroned on the praises of Israel.
   Our ancestors trusted in you, and you rescued them.


They cried out to you and were saved. 

   They trusted in you and were never disgraced. Psalm 22:1-4

 

Reading Psalm 22 is like riding a seesaw.  The psalmist’s prayer takes us up and down with his emotions.  A few verses express great pain and desperation.  Then he quickly follows with trust in God.   That pattern continues throughout the psalm.  Up and down.  Down and up.  Real, authentic sharing of his doubts and then an expression of his hope and trust in God.  Up and down.  Down and up.

God invites us to share ALL our emotions with him.  There’s no need to hold back.  His heart is open to us—ready to listen. Nothing you say or feel will surprise or shock him.  He wants to hear from you. 

God, help me trust you even when you seem silent or distant.  Help me hold on in the midst of the struggles.  Amen.


Marcia Marquardt



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