Extended Hands

Devotional: Read Psalm 22

As I stated in my last post, it's an obvious reaction to withdraw your finances in these times of economic distress. Pull everything out so you don't lose it all. However this action also forces the economy even deeper into the hole.

We do the same thing in times of personal depression and distress. If you've ever been in ministry for any length of time, you'll know that there are certain people who are constantly withdrawing and pulling resources from the body. In their times of distress (which for some seems to be their way of life) they become like black holes, bringing everything and everyone into their gravitational field and not even allowing any light to emerge from the depths of their constant pain.

Then I think of Jesus, on the cross, suffering in total humiliation. He's been beaten and insulted. He's been dared to come down. He's openly exposed to friends and family, and probably has lost control of all bodily functions and has defecated on Himself. Yet almost every word is an extended hand to someone who is hurting. "John, take care of My mother." "Father, don't hold this against them." "It is finished." "Today you will be with Me in paradise."

I believe that even the phrase, "My God, My God, why have you forsaken Me?" is a word of encouragement to those around Him. In those days, psalms were not referenced by numbers, but by their opening line. When He cried out those words, I believe that He was leading all those around Him to Psalm 22. They would know it by heart, and they would know where it leads. Read the entire psalm and you'll see what I'm talking about.

Then read verse 24: "For 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."

Every Jew standing around Him would know that this is where the psalm leads - that God does not hide His face from those in distress. That God DID NOT hide His face when Christ was covered in our sin. I believe that Jesus is saying the exact opposite of what we commonly believe happened here: God did not turn His face FROM Jesus, but TO Jesus. He has not hidden His face from Him. These last words are not a discouraged Christ wondering where God is, but an encouraging Christ, still thinking about those around Him, letting them know that God will never leave them so they can always press forward even in their darkest hours.

What does this mean for us? It means that Christ has set the example. In Christ's darkest hour, God does not withdraw from Him, He turns to Him. In His darkest hour, Christ did not withdraw from the hurting people, He turned to them. As His hands were literally extended by the nails in the cross, so were they spiritually extended to those in true chains.

So we are to do the same. As we face times of distress and persecution, we are not to withdraw, but to extend. Take a moment and read Psalm 22 and I believe that you will agree. It's a song of victory that emerges from the fire.