Saturday 20 January, 2018

It is said that this is the darkest, saddest psalm of all the Psalms.

When I read this Psalm, I walked away with so heavy a heart that I do not wish to read this Psalm again…. How can anyone possibly go through such grief, distress with no one to turn to? Even the closest of friends have abandoned him. Tears, sorrow and hopelessness come crashing like waves; never ending.

What has this man done to deserve all these? God and men have totally abandoned him.

As I read this Psalm, I am reminded of the time when our Lord Jesus was nailed to the cross. It was ‘darkest day’ of His life. It was the time when the sin of the whole world was laid on Him. All his closest friends have deserted him, even God His Father has abandoned him.

“From the sixth hour until the ninth hour darkness came over all the land. About 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?”

As I reread this Psalm with the mental picture of Jesus dying on the cross for me, I cannot but thank the Son of God for His ultimate sacrifice. He was condemned, punished and abandoned so that I am made clean. When the Son of God gave His life for us, what should our response be? How should we live our lives that is pleasing to Him?

Lord Jesus, you are the King of Glory. Yet you are willing to give up your Heavenly throne to die a criminal death for me. Who am I to deserve this ? What kind of God are you? to touch and reach out to a sinful race. I am grateful. I am thankful. I am willing to follow such a Wonderful God whole heartedly. Thank you for loving me….

Written by Shin Liu