The Good Friday Rollercoaster for All Who Follow

S - Psalm 69:1-3, 13-16, 30-31, 33-34 (NRSV): "Save me, O God, for the waters have come up to my neck. I sink in deep mire, where there is no foothold; I have come into deep waters, and the flood sweeps over me. I am weary with my crying; my throat is parched. My eyes grow dim with waiting for my God. … But as for me, my prayer is to you, O Lord. At an acceptable time, O God, in the abundance of your steadfast love, answer me. With your faithful help rescue me from sinking in the mire; let me be delivered from my enemies and from the deep waters. Do not let the flood sweep over me, or the deep swallow me up, or the Pit close its mouth over me. Answer me, O Lord, for your steadfast love is good; according to your abundant mercy, turn to me. … I will praise the name of God with a song; I will magnify him with thanksgiving. This will please the Lord more than an ox or a bull with horns and hoofs. … For the Lord hears the needy, and does not despise his own that are in bonds. Let heaven and earth praise him, the seas and everything that moves in them."

O - This Messianic Psalm of David certainly captures the roller coaster that all who follow Jesus are required to ride, as well as the prophetic insight into the Lord's own experience. This reality, that Jesus has literally lived these verses (his Good Friday wasn't very good), is an insight into why everything is reconciled in his body on the cross (Colossians 1:19-20). The dark and painful specifics (not cited in the verse above but which are recored in this psalm) give way to the reality of the Lord's person and promise. The basis for appeal and the anticipation of rescue is based upon the Lord's person and power … his tender heart toward the poor and needy -- which the arrogant dismiss and the religious elite despise. Steadfast love, abundant mercy, faithfulness are the reasons for the rise in confidence which comes amidst such difficulties; a confidence which is now willing to wait on the Lord's "acceptable time" … a waiting which has been a source of weary discouragement. The "up" comes first from the interface with the Lord's person rather than the desired shift in circumstance. And this interface produces the action and conclusion which Jesus lived out: "I will praise the name of God with a song; I will magnify him with thanksgiving. This will please the Lord more than an ox or a bull with horns and hoofs."

A - In discouraged and disabled circumstances long standing, it yet remains in my power to please the Lord by praising his name in song and magnifying him with thanksgiving. This truth and the “lift” which flows from it is way better than what comes from adopting an 'it could be worse' attitude. Even if things do get worse and never better the Lord has given me (his people) reason to praise and to be thankful. This is my assignment, come what may. I admit that this really is true. For all the down -- there is a ton of up:), I get to stay confident in Him rather than in my understanding of good timing. I get to rely on his love rather than the way I think things should go, especially because I'm following him and engaging his will. All this brings me back to the major reality of trust, and I intend to be fiercely loyal to him.

P - Lord who never fails,
Thank you for living out your own word; for inspiring David, for giving us your written voice and for still finding us with your speaking voice. In this day I do praise you for all your awesome and abundant goodness, for your protection and provision, for your tender care and counsel, for shepherding and loving this dumb sheep. Thank you for the challenge of this season and assignment. Thank you for letting me do what I get to do. Lord, the earth is yours and your delight is in kindness, justice and mercy. Let me do more than I've dreamed possible in tangible acts of love and relational connects, in engaging these projects across the face of the whole the earth, of presenting your name and words on the pages that cause them to be heard. Lord, I give all this back to you … lead on. I will actively engage trust in you unto not being shaken or put to shame. Yes, Lord! My answer remains yes.
Steve