Here’s the story Ill tell my friends when they come to worship, and punctuate it with Hallelujahs: Shout Hallelujah, you God-worshipers; give glory, you sons of Jacob; adore him, you daughters of Israel. He has never let you down, never looked the other way when you were being kicked around. He has never wandered off to do his own thing; he has been right there listening.
From the four corners of the earth people are coming to their senses, are running back to God. Long-lost families are falling on their faces before him. God has taken charge; from now on God has the final word.
Psalm 22: 22-24, 27-28 (The Message)
Oh, these are the powerful words I needed to hear today! My friend spoke the other day about how she was riding on the struggle bus due to the strange, lonely times we are living in, and I think we all have been taking turns riding on that bus with her. David rode that bus, too, and wrote this Psalm to tell his story of suffering, praise, and victory in the Messiah. (The title for this passage in The Inspirational Study Bible is The Suffering, Praise, and Posterity of the Messiah.)
What is David’s story? It’s the same story we tell today. God doesn’t let us down, or turn His back when we are being kicked in the teeth. He doesn’t just wander away while we are speaking. He listens to us! I pray that people from all over the world who have been lost will come running back to the Father. I hope that families who wandered away will once more praise His name. No matter our circumstances, God is still in control. He has the final word! Tell your story of suffering, praise, and victory, and puncuate it with a Hallelujah!
Oh, Lord, thank you for always being with us, for never turning your back on us, despite our circumstances. We ask you to use these strange and lonely days to bring us ever closer to your power, to your love, and to your victory. For we know, Lord, that you have conquered death and have overcome the world, and you, Lord, will have the final say. Help us to tell our story to our friends as we worship you together and shout Hallelujah! Amen.
