Trust in God
Two robbers were also crucified there that morning, one on either side of him. And the people passing by hurled abuse, shaking their heads at him and saying, "So! You can destroy the Temple and build it again in three days, can you? Well, then, come on down from the cross if you are the Son of God!"
And the chief priests and Jewish leaders also mocked him. "He saved others," they scoffed, "but he can't save himself! So you are the King of Israel, are you? Come down from the cross and we'll believe you! He trusted God - let God show his approval by delivering him! Didn't he say, "I am God's Son?"
And the robbers also threw the same in his teeth.
That afternoon, the whole earth was covered with darkness for three hours, from noon until three o'clock.
About three o'clock, Jesus shouted, "Eli. E:i, lama sabachthani?" which means, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" Matthew 27: 38-45 (TLB)
For years. Susan Kerrigan, from Washington, prayed for a baby. She longed to look into the eyes of her newborn and hear the little sounds that a newborn makes. Through all the waiting, fertility screenings, and treatments, she prayed and waited.
During her years of waiting, Susan was hesitant to declare her trust in God, especially to those who weren't believers. Susan was afraid that they would think, If her God is so trustworthy, why haven't her prayers been answered?
As we read in today's quotes verse, Jesus was mocked for his faith as he hung on the cross. To onlookers, it appeared that God had abandoned Jesus, and Jesus even poured his heart out to God asking why he had been forsaken. God didn't rescue Jesus from the cross as his followers had hoped because God had a much bigger plan that would make redemption possible.
We often cannot see God's plan. We think, If only God would intervene and fix my problem. But if we continue to trust in God, we are in good company. Even if others mock our trust God is trustworthy. We have every reason to declare boldly our trust in God.
Prayer: Dear God, help us to trust you when our prayers seem unanswered. Give us courage to declare our trust in you, in Jesus' name. Amen.
