Christian Reflection and Prayer

Read Psalm 62. 

TEXT: Be not far from me, for trouble is near, and there is
none to help (Psalm 22:11).

Does God ever seem so far away He doesn't see your struggles 
or hear your prayers? Do you ever feel tempted to give up on
Him? Satan and the enemies of Jesus tried to shake His
confidence in His Father; they tried to make Him feel abandoned:

"He trusts in the Lord; let Him deliver him; let Him rescue him, for
He delights in him!" (Psalm 22:8).

The direst of troubles are upon Jesus, but wherever He might turn
He can find no help in this world. The Jewish leaders should have
welcomed and honored Him as the coming Messiah-but they
rejected Him and forced Pilate to sentence Him to execution.

He could have expected protection from the Roman governor who
declared Him innocent-but he had Him flogged and washed his
hands of Him.

The Roman soldiers should have treated Him with professional
detachment-but they heaped their cruel abuse and mockery on Him.

Even the passersby turned against Him in childish taunting and
mockery.

His friends were gone-each deserted Him-except for John who alone
stood by His cross. But even John was helpless to do anything to
help Him.

In quiet confidence Jesus turns to the only One who can help Him,
"Be not far from Me, for trouble is near, and there is none to help.
" With His Father forsaking Him, Jesus was truly alone with our
sins and guilt, and God's crushing wrath. But Jesus persistently
lays His desperate situation before His Father and pleads for help.
"In the days of His flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications,
with loud cries and tears, to Him who was able to save Him from death,
and He was heard because of His reverence" (Hebrews 5:7).

THE PRAYER:

Lord Jesus Christ, as the song beautifully says, "When other helpers
fail and comforts flee, Help of the helpless, O abide with me." Amen.

(Lenten Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries)