“From noon until three in the afternoon, darkness came over the whole land. About three in the afternoon Jesus cried out with a loud voice, ‘Elí, Elí, lemá sabachtháni’ that is, ‘My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?’” – Matthew 27:45-46

If someone were to ask me what the darkest moment in all Scripture is, I would probably have to answer, Matthew 27:45-46. I do not know how many times I have read that passage, and I still struggle to read it without tears in my eyes today. I can’t comprehend the amount of pain that must have been felt at that moment. Jesus Christ the Son feeling completely abandoned by God the Father; taking on the full wrath of God that I deserved! I can’t imagine the suffering! But something most people do not realize is that these words are not only the cry of Jesus’s heart, but they are also a quote from Scripture. This cry comes from Psalm 22. In fact, many prophecies from Psalm 22 are fulfilled in the final hours of Jesus’s life.

With that in mind, I want to share something else from Psalm 22; “For he has not despised or scorned the suffering of the afflicted one; he has not hidden his face from him but has listened to his cry for help.” (Psalm 22:24). You see, even at that darkest moment in all Scripture, God honored that suffering and brought about the glorification of Jesus Christ and the salvation of anyone who would put their faith in him. This is so important for me to remember today. I am suffering. I am in one of the darkest, most painful times in my life. And yet, I can walk through it with complete confidence that God is working, God is still listening. His love and purpose for my life has not changed. I pray that my testimony gives you peace today.

Heavenly Father, I feel abandoned. I feel that You have forgotten about me. I feel that my pain is pointless. Please do not allow my feelings to override Your truth. You have not hidden Your face from me, and You have heard my cry for help. Let me now begin to see how You are working through this dark time to bring about my good and Your glory.

In Christ’s Service,

Pastor Shane Cannon