Rev. Chris Nichols

 And about three o’clock Jesus cried with a loud voice, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” that is, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?
Matthew 27:46

 For God alone my soul waits in silence;
from Him comes my salvation.
He alone is my rock and my salvation,
my fortress; I shall never be shaken.
How long will you assail a person,
will you batter your victim, all of you,
as you would a leaning wall, a tottering fence?
Their only plan is to bring down a person of prominence.
They take pleasure in falsehood;
they bless with their mouths,
but inwardly they curse. Selah
For God alone my soul waits in silence,
for my hope is from Him.
He alone is my rock and my salvation,
my fortress; I shall not be shaken.
On God rests my deliverance and my honor;
my mighty rock, my refuge is in God.
Trust in him at all times, O people;
pour out your heart before him;
God is a refuge for us. Selah
Psalm 62:1-8

The world can be a place of discord and distress, where we can be caught in the crosswinds of chaos, threatening our peace and attacking the core of our hope. Jesus experienced this reality in the extreme as He hung on the cross and the sin of the world poured over Him, darkening the sky and cutting Him off from His Father. In that moment, He knew fully what it was to live under the threat of sin and brokenness in this world. He experienced the despair that comes when chaos reigns. His cry was a cry of hopelessness. But it was not the end. It was a moment in time that would not be the ultimate definition of His world. A greater truth would be revealed.

We can find encouragement in His cry as we live in the crosswinds of chaos. It may that you are being attacked personally from a source that seeks only to undo you. Or it may be that you find yourself enveloped by the turbulence of the unholy who, puffed up by their self-importance are insisting on their own way, determined to win rather than serve.

Or you may find yourself unnerved by the general mayhem and madness of the world, feeling unsafe and adrift. Like Jesus, you may in those moments shout out to God, “Why have You forsaken me?” When you are there, it is essential to remember that the moment you in does not define all that there is to the world. There is a place to go to find relief.

When we find ourselves in turmoil, surrounded by cacophonous discord of a broken world, despairing over what feels like abandonment, we can lean in Jesus’ experience. We too can make our cry but always knowing there is a deeper truth beyond our present experience. Jesus knew the Psalms and would have known Psalm 62. In those treacherous moments when we are at the edge of hopelessness, David reminds us of the futility of seeking refuge in any place other than God Himself.  He invites us to wait in silence for the God who is our creator, protector, and redeemer, who will gather us to himself where we will find the healing comfort of his love.  He alone is the solid rock upon which we can stand. He alone is a fortress wherein we find salvation and refuge. In him alone rests our honor and our deliverance.  The words of Jesus come to mind, an echo of this Psalm: “Come to me all who are weary and carrying heavy burdens and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For my yoke is easy and my burden light.” Matthew 11:28-30

During this Lenten season, take time today to be silent before the Lord.  Read Psalm 62 slowly.  Let the truth of David’s words sink deep into your mind.   Set your alarm for three minutes and be still.  Quiet the inner noise of your life. Listen to him.  At the end of three minutes, write down what you heard, images that came to mind, take note of the feelings that emerged.  Take time to sit in prayer, and with open hands, release the fear, pain, insecurity into His hands.  End your time in thanksgiving to the one who will never leave us or forsake us.

Trust in him at all times, O people;
pour out your heart before him;
God is a refuge for us. Selah

Reflection: Where do you go when chaos threatens to undo you?

Confession:  Father, I am getting swallowed up by the chaos in my world.  I am distracted, discouraged, and at times, afraid.  Help me Lord to feel your hand in the darkness so I do not give way to despair.  Lead me to you, my fortress where I am safe, secure, and at home.