• Home
  • About This Blog
  • Contact Me
  • Subscribe
  • Comment Policy

Attempts at Honesty

Reflections on the interplay of the Bible and Culture

  • Westminster Shorter Catechism Series
  • Sermon on the Mount Series
Home Bible Reflection Reflection on Psalm 22

Reflection on Psalm 22

Posted on January 11, 2021 Written by Mark McIntyre Leave a Comment


I assume that every believer has at one time experienced the sentiment found in the first two verses of Psalm 22:

“My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, from the words of my groaning? O my God, I cry by day, but you do not answer, and by night, but I find no rest.”

Psalm 22:1–2, ESV

Life comes at us and sometimes it comes at us hard and with evil intent.

As I indicated in my previous post, the frustration can even come from within the church. We wonder how or why God would allow events to go down the way they do.

When the hurt comes from the church, it is tempting to walk away and give up hope that the church will ever get it right. I have felt that temptation as a result of how I and other good people were treated at two churches in particular. I mention the other people because if I were the only one treated badly, I would look first-and-foremost at myself as the root of the problem.

But when I am tempted to give up, I remember that Jesus experienced the same feelings of abandonment as he hung on the Cross. In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus prayed to be relieved of the responsibility he was undertaking.

Remembering this is crucial (pun intended) because it was the Cross and the subsequent resurrection upon which all our hopes depend. We learn from the resurrection that the evil which appears to be the victor, is actually defeated.

For believers, the wounds that are suffered at the hands of church leaders are difficult to overcome and the only chance of overcoming them is to look beyond those leaders to the Christ that the leaders claim to follow.

I am experiencing this right now. I am trying to find the balance of pointing out where the error lies without allowing my own sin to contribute to the chaos. I have seen God’s people abused by self-interested “ministers” who care more for their power and influence then the do for those they are called to protect.

In short, I have seen too many shepherds that have mutton breath.

I choose to believe that God will lead me into a situation where I can use my gifts to further the kingdom without experiencing the heartache of manipulative leaders pushing their personal agendas.

But ultimately, I need to continually remind myself that I am a sojourner and not yet home.

If you are encouraged by this post or would like to make a comment, please use the comment form below to offer your feedback. I enjoy hearing from you.


Filed Under: Bible Reflection

About Mark McIntyre

A follower of Jesus Christ who shares observations about how Scripture should impact the church and the world. Mark is the original author and editor of Attempts at Honesty.

Follow Attempts at Honesty

Honesty in your Inbox

A Pattern for Discipleship

Ezra 7:10 (ESV) “For Ezra had set his heart to study the Law of the Lord, and to do it and to teach his statutes and rules in Israel.” I like when things can be simplified. Why make things more complicated than they need to be? As a result, when I read this verse, I […]

The right to believe anything

We Christians should acknowledge that the church has often gotten it wrong concerning the proper application of tolerance. At times we have deserved the criticism that we are intolerant because of the way we have behaved toward those with whom we disagree.

Ring of Truth

It has the ring of truth . . .

One of the things I enjoy about reading the Bible is how real the characters are. With the exception of Daniel and Jesus, we read stories of men and women who were seriously flawed but were used by God to bring about his will for humanity.

On Empty Consolation

In this Christmas season, we celebrate Emmanuel, God with Us, who came to earth to make that comfort and joy possible. But we should also keep in mind that the baby in the manger came knowing that he would also be the God on a Cross as the means of producing that joy.

Corrective Cultural Lens

I had the opportunity to listen to a podcast of an interview with Mark Eckel while driving to my first appointment this morning. You can find this podcast and other information about Mark Eckel by clicking on this link. Of the many good things that Mark said, I was struck by one in particular. He […]

Post Series

  • Westminster Shorter Catechism Series
  • Sermon on the Mount Series
February 2023
SMTWTFS
 1234
567891011
12131415161718
19202122232425
262728 
« Jan    

Categories

Archives

Blogger Grid
Follow me on Blogarama

Copyright © 2023 · Focus Pro Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in