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Daily Devotional August 29, 2022

     “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”  These words often are attributed to Jesus as he suffered on the cross.  They express a deep-seated sense of alienation and abandonment.  Suffering has the capacity to isolate us from others, including the people we love us most.  Far too often, pain compels any one of us to pull away from the very people who can comfort us.

      However, Jesus isn’t just any one of us.  Though Jesus, like any human being, felt all alone, he continued to trust and reach out to his Father.  You see, many Christians don’t realize that Jesus was reciting the first verse of Psalm 22.  Jesus honestly expressed his feelings before God.  Psalm 22 earnestly acknowledges Jesus’ sense of being forsaken.  However, Psalm 22 further articulates confidence in God’s faithfulness: “But you, Lord, do not be far from me.  You are my strength; come quickly to help me” (Psalm 22:19, NIV). 

       These words offer a powerful reminder to those of us facing anguish and uncertainty: This, too, shall pass.  Beyond every setback lies a comeback.  Past every crucifixion lies the resurrection.  On the other side of every storm lies a rainbow.

        In his book, Half-Truths, Adam Hamilton shares the following quotation of a retired pastor by the name of Ray Firestone.  Following the untimely death of his wife, Pastor Ray wrote:

Suffering is not God’s desire for us, but it occurs in the process of life. Suffering is not given to teach us something, but through it we may learn. Suffering is not given to punish us, but sometimes it is the consequence of our sin or poor judgment. Suffering does not occur because our faith is weak, but through it our faith may be strengthened. God does not depend on human suffering to achieve his purposes, but sometimes through suffering his purposes are achieved. Suffering can either destroy us, or it can add meaning to our life.

       Bad things happen.  Pain is a reality of life.  But thank goodness that in all things God is working to snatch victory out of the jaws of defeat.