Christian Reflection and Prayer

Read Psalm 105.

TEXT: In You our fathers trusted; they trusted, and You
delivered them (Psalm 22:4).

In the midst of incredible injustice and suffering horribly
for sins He never committed, Jesus acknowledges the
holiness of God His Father and the justice of His verdict.
Jesus knows it is only through His sufferings that God can
forgive our sins and our rebellion. Jesus willingly took this
burden on Himself so that through His suffering God's
holiness could be satisfied, that in His love and mercy He
could save unworthy sinners like us.

Now, beset with the pangs of hell Jesus recalls His
Father's faithfulness. Throughout the Old Testament, God's
people Israel found themselves in dire situations. They
knew they could not put their trust in their own strength,
nor in their friends, nor in their possessions, nor in their
military might-only God could save them. Only He could
deliver them. They cried out to Him day and night, trusting
in His deliverance, and God came through for them time
and time again.

Jesus seeks that deliverance too. He yearns for God's
wrath to be spent, His rage stilled, for the pangs of hell to
be finished. Like His fathers before Him, Jesus trusts His
God to deliver Him, to bring Him home to Paradise.

What can you do when you are at your wit's end? When
everything looks as though God has abandoned and
forsaken you? Remember Jesus Christ. Trust that His
sacrifice was sufficient, perfectly satisfying God's wrath at
your sins, and winning His full and free forgiveness. Put
your trust in your Father's love and mercy, knowing He will
never let you down.

THE PRAYER:

Lord Jesus Christ, give me firm confidence in Your care
and protection, and Your deliverance from all my troubles.
Amen.

(Lenten Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries)