We Are Standing.... Psalm 22 "The Universal Presence"

When I read this Psalm, images of different biblical themes or events began to leap off the page. There are phrases in this psalm that are quoted in the New Testament and echoed throughout the OT. Of course, the most prominent is the very first verse, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” as spoken by Jesus during his death. Somewhat appropriate because the context here is that of dying or being gravely ill.

When I read the first couple of verses this is what stood out: Presence and Timing

“…why have you forsaken me?”
“…why are you so far from helping me…”
“…I cry but you do not answer..”

I cannot begin to count the number of times my heart has questioned the presence of God or petitioned his time clock to be moved up. The needs of my life obviously required “urgency” and it was in everyone’s best interest that He act with some sense of timeliness. Or so I thought.

When God did not conform to my expectations, I began to question His presence. How could he abandon me so easily? Why would he leave me in such a time as this? Did he not understand how critical this period in my life was and how much I needed his presence not his apparent absence?

How small was/is my understanding of God! How minimal my comprehension of His presence and timing.

Is there a place that God is not? We hear in our churches and small groups, as we come together, that “where two or more are gathered there I am” referring to Jesus’ presence – does that mean God is not present otherwise? If I am by myself is God not present? Of course He is! I just have not conditioned myself to think, act, or live in those terms. It’s almost like Jacob, I can be in His presence and not even be aware of it!

“Surely, the LORD is in this place --- and I did not know it!” (Gen. 28:16)

I can even be singing “we are standing on Holy Ground” and feel all warm and fuzzy, but yet not comprehend that I am in the very presence of GOD! Because He is very present! My heart AND my mind must do better!

The other factor about these two verses is “timing”. I was reading my son-in-laws website and he was sharing some resources that he uses in his PhD studies. They are all on line resources that can be downloaded to your computer for free. They are bibles, commentaries, bible dictionaries, devotionals, different language bibles including Greek and Hebrew, etc. All on my computer! Heck, I can even down load them all to my phone if I wanted to!!! Instant access to bible verses; commentaries; dictionaries without even having to get out of my chair!

Is it any wonder we can’t wait on God! Does it surprise any of us that we get impatient with God and wonder what takes him so long to “download” his answer; to get His email and respond? Is God not aware that we have an “agenda” here and it’s important that we keep things moving? Besides, the request or need I have today is not the only thing on the list, so we need to get this one taken care of so we can move on you know!

Believe me, I would not have done real well with that 40 years in the Wilderness thing! "Are we there yet?" would have taken on a whole new meaning if Uncle Norm would have been in that little gathering! Oh, don’t get me wrong, I have asked God for patience – multiple times – but he keeps giving me situations where I must exercise patience and it just drives me nuts!

It is true, God’s timing is nothing like my timing. His Timex has no hands that rotate around the dial. He sees forever and how I fit into that scheme. I am forever wanting to see the scheme for today.

What to do about it? Practice His presence first and the timing thing will take care of itself.

“Come,” my heart says, “seek his face!”
Your face LORD, do I seek.
(Ps.27:8)


Father Spirit, I don’t know whether to stay seated, to stand, to kneel or to fall on my face in your presence. I feel awkward to even think about it let alone try to take it in and enjoy it. I just want to become aware. I deserve it not except by the blood of your son Jesus.
Accept my thanks and my praise.