The Porcelain Man

My strength is dried up like a potsherd, And My tongue clings to My jaws; You have brought Me to the dust of death.~ (Based on Psalm 22:15)

Lord, You know I’m right here and need Your help desperately. Why do I feel like You’re ignoring me? You used to drop what You were doing and snatch me out of any mess I got myself into. Now, You’re nowhere to be seen! What have I done that You don’t answer my prayers? I try to reach out to You day and night, but my calls go straight to voicemail.

Nevertheless, I know who You are. You are the Great I Am, the God of Isaac and Jacob; my God, the Creator of the Universe. Generations before me reached out to You when they backed themselves into a corner. They trusted You, and You rescued them. I have faith in You, too, Lord. What am I doing wrong? When my ancestors were up to their necks in chaos and destruction, You repeatedly bailed them out. Why can’t You do the same for me? Have I fallen so far out of Your favor, Lord? What have I done that You choose to ignore me?

Without Your protection, men are emboldened and show their open hatred for me. Others seize every opportunity to smugly watch Your disregard for me, Lord. They mock me: “Where’s your God now? Everyone, stand back. Let’s give Him some room so His God can come and save him. What? Not here yet? Still waiting...”

I’m sorry. I just don’t get it, Lord. You were always there for me from the beginning. My thirst for You was being satisfied while I nursed at my mother’s breasts. You’ve been there ever since I drew my first breath. You will be here, my God, long after my last. I feel abandoned and desolate. Stay close to me, Father. Death is rattling my doorknob.

They’re out there, Lord, waiting for the best time to break me into pieces! I can smell the distinctive stench of their breath. They patiently wait for the right time to pounce. I’m surrounded! No way out! They are diabolical when it comes to inflicting pain. They place bets on who can devise the most twisted conspiracy against me.

I’m drained, wrung out, Father! My stress cracks are starting to show. I throb and feel numb at the same time. My life force is fragmented, cracked apart like broken pieces of pottery.  Unfastened, my spirit lacks all defensive options. My lungs are brittle, my palate is cleft. My body crumbles, and I’m left for dead. I totter at the edge of oblivion! Evil encircles me and cuts off all chance of escape. I’m blocked at every turn. My doom becomes imminent. But the prophetic will soon become a matter of record. I spend my final moments on display, hanging before my enemies.

But they watch with mild disappointment. They now must imagine new obsessions. They don’t realize they’ve reached the end of their purpose. Nothing more is required. Nevertheless, rituals are promptly performed to steal my worldly possessions. Greed will devour them in one gulp!

Oh, my God, please don’t forget me! Look! Here I am! Auitami, Signore! Pull me out of this life-and-death battle, Lord! I beg You to rescue me from ravenous beasts! Release me, Lord, from the coils of murderous Man. Set my feet free to once again stand in Your glory.

Hallelujah!

You’ve finally heard my call! I will tell everyone about my nick-of-time rescue. You waited for the precise moment to unbalance Your enemies while building my courage. Yours is a complete and utter salvation.

Hosannah in the highest! Praise him, sons of Abraham. Give glory to our God. Be humble! Be reverent! Be your utmost for His Highest. Show profound respect for Your God and Creator! He sees each fledgling fall from its nest. He watches the destitute drop from sight in challenging times. My God operates in all situations. He never fails to respond to His children! I will worship You with gratitude and praise, Lord. Your family on earth will see every pledge I make to You honored. The lost will be found. The impoverished will become enriched. Let every spirit sense its eternity. Your entire creation, Father, will one day see the truth of You and remember. The eye will see, and the mind will understand. The universe has one realm and Monarch King, the Lord God, Jehovah.

Babies are born, and people die. Rich or poor, the web of life continues to spin. But mortality will always sense its dependence on eternity. Our heirs will give You honor. Their heirs will hear tales of “How Great is Our God.” Words are still being written about Your miracles and wonders, Father. Future generations will read Your righteous works and stand amazed at Your wonders! The Porcelain Man is restored.