When God Feels Silent

There are several things to consider when it comes to this Psalm. First being that this Psalm is a prophecy of sorts first and foremost. The entire chapter describes the last couple hours of Jesus' life here on earth before resurrection. Secondly, the Psalmist starts by asking why God has forsaken him and finishes describing God's faithfulness and how God's people will praise Him forevermore.

When Jesus was hanging on the Cross and cried out "Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?" He was referencing Psalm 22. In the times of Jesus, there were no chapter and verse reference points. Jews at His time, would reference the Old Testament scriptures by their beginning phrases or passages. In essence, Jesus was crying out for those present to remember Psalm 22 as a way that they would understand his death and all that day entailed was a fulfillment to prophecy.

In his addressing God as "Eloi," Jesus is declaring God's lordship. Despite his situation, Jesus was not going to cease his submission to God as Lord. As many Christians have been taught over the years, this moment is likely when Jesus took on the sins of the entire world, past, present, and future. In His earthly life, this would be the first and only time that He was separated from God the Father. Hence, the question as to why God has forsaken Him.

The second piece is much more encouraging and answers the "What do we do when God feels silent." We MUST read the entire chapter and then also remember what happens after the Cross. The evidence is that our feelings of God's distance and/or silence are incorrect. God is forever faithful and His plan will come to fruition and He will be praised by His people forever! Despite the surmounting despair in both Psalm 22:1-2 and in the Gospel accounts of the crucifixion, the full story is full of hope due to the entirety of God's plan. We must trust in the Lord and that HIs ways are higher than our ways. He can and will use the darkest of times for His glory every time!