How?

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 22:1-5 (NLT)

One of the many things that I cherish in The Word, is the way Jesus can relate with people. There hasn't been a situation we've experienced on earth, that He hasn't been through Himself. He knows every emotion and pain. Yet one might think how could He possibly relate to people who've experienced abandonment, just like David, who wrote these verses in Psalm?

To be honest I think it might be that David wrote this at a place in his life where he was face down and wrecked. With no hope or strength to even write down his feelings. Maybe it started as a prayer, just one word, one question actually.

"Why?"

Who knows how long the question repeated itself in his head. "Why God?"

But then He showed up, not in an audible voice, not in a writing on the wall, but in a memory. A flash of a memory that was once a reality in his life. God reminded him about the time when he was still a child, hearing the stories of God's nation. How Israel praised their God when the only weapons they had were their voices and instruments. When they were outnumbered by the enemy, but as soon as they started singing and proclaiming God's name, the odds changed. They stood in the presence of their Provider. Their eyes were fixed on the unseen. Angel armies marching to battle in front of them, fighting for them. Israel's praises enthroned their King.

And as the memory played out in David's head the "Why?", became a "How?".

"How can I use what you have given me to praise you, to enthrone you? What can I do to keep my eyes on You and not on the circumstances in front of me?" Maybe he saw his harp or tambourine in the corner of the room, or maybe he just had his voice. But he began singing, praising God with all that was left in him, and hope started to rise again. He poured out himself to God, a fragrant sacrifice, even prophesying to the future generations.

He felt abandoned, but God reminded him of the truth, he was never alone. Just like He never left the Israelites alone.

When Jesus hung on the cross, He remembered this Psalm, David's cry. Although not having enough strength to recite all the words, He had enough strength left to say the first two lines, knowing in His heart the promise at the end. He felt abandoned, but He knew the truth: He was never alone, the Father had never left Him and never will. Hope will rise again.

At about three o’clock, Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” which means “My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?”

Matthew 27:46 (NLT)

So this is my prayer, that the "Why" of our hearts might be turned into a "How?".

How can we praise You in our current circumstances, God? How can we enthrone You upon our praises as Israel did? May our words and the song in our hearts be a pleasing sacrifice to You. Keep our eyes on the unseen, make Your Kingdom our reality.

There Is A Name - Bethel Music & Sean Feucht (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g48RmZEXGeE)

There is a name Who reigns without contention Whose power can't be questioned or contained With humble fame He rules the earth and heavens His glory knows no measure or refrain And it's bursting past the border lines of space

Jesus, enthroned upon the praises of our hearts Jesus, You're the King and You're the center of it all