Inspired by friends who declared a “Word for the year”

…I was searching. 

I didn’t find just one word, though I think I can condense what I seem to be pointed to. But while searching and intending to choose a verse to share with someone, Ps 22:3 loomed large and inviting.  In context, the Psalmist begins the Psalm describing prophetically the awful condition of my Savior, hanging on the cross, in complete despair acknowledging the utter pain He was suffering as the Messiah bearing the consequence of my sin on the cross.  The darkness of death without a relationship with Abba/ Father was part of  Jesus’ crucifixion experience.  Verses 1 and 2 describe what Jesus felt and what His death allows for me to avoid.  What He accomplished in those long moments of  terrible suffering and abandonment on the cross followed by His death, burial and resurrection leads to unspeakable love, gratitude, joy and trust in the hearts of believers for all time and eternity. 

In verse 3 I read the declaration of accomplishment.  Once  God’s plan was completed the relationship was restored and praise rings out from the lips of believers as that reconciliation with the Father allows God’s presence to be  established in the hearts of trusting mankind. Ps 22:3 declares God to be holy and in His holiness He inhabits the praise of His people.  The author of that Psalm interjected what had been experienced in life, and observations made along the way.  God IS faithful to His people, to provide and carry out His plan and purpose.  For that, He can be praised.

So I guess my “word” for the year will join a prior “word” for the year, (Ps 23 :3…”for His name’s sake”) I declare His holiness, His worthiness to be trusted and praised for His presence with me,  praise for the suffering Savior’s willingness to leave Glory to accomplish God’s plan for salvation of those who will trust His substitutionary death. Jesus, My Jesus, suffered more pain than I’ll ever know and He knew the perils of the darkest hours.  No praise will be greater than that offered from a grateful heart for His work done for me on the Cross.

In 2024 Ps 23:3 “…for His name’s sake”, and

In 2025  “…God inhabits the praise of Israel”…and His people today.