“Be pleased, O God, to deliver me. O Lord, make haste to help me! ² Let those be put to shame and confusion who seek my life. Let those be turned back and brought to dishonor who desire to hurt me. ³ Let those who say, “Aha, Aha!” turn back because of their shame. ⁴ Let all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you. Let those who love your salvation say evermore, “God is great!” ⁵ But I am poor and needy;     hasten to me, O God! You are my help and my deliverer;  O Lord, do not delay!” Psalm 70:1-5

Psalm 70 is traditionally used during Holy Week, and gives us specific reminders (in the words “Aha, Aha!”) of the mocking that Jesus encountered by those who stood by making fun of him during the crucifixion. It is during Holy Week that we are reminded of our utter dependence on G-d – to deliver us from those who persecute us and those who desire our ruin. “Let G-d be exalted.”  “G-d is Great. But I am poor and needy. Come quickly Lord.” 

Yes, Jesus was crucified. But G-d raised him from the dead, exalted him above all things, and placed him next to the throne of G-d. Death has been defeated once and for all. We come through Holy Week to the empty tomb, experiencing the words “G-d is our help and deliverer.” The G-d of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob has acted to deliver all people from the bonds of death, the bonds of evil, and the sting of death through Jesus Christ. And G-d accomplished all this through the cross. G-d did what G-d always promised, just not the way people thought G-d would do it. As such, we have reason every day to exclaim “G-d is Great!”

Pastor Dave