God’s Truth for Trying Times - 4/10/20

We need God’s truth in trying times. Read the Scripture passage, think about what it is saying, then pray; by yourself or with your household. Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly (Col. 3:16).

READ: Psalm 22

“My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, from the words of my groaning? O my God, I cry by day, but you do not answer, and by night, but I find no rest. Yet you are holy, enthroned on the praises of Israel. In you our fathers trusted; they trusted, and you delivered them. To you they cried and were rescued; in you they trusted and were not put to shame. But I am a worm and not a man, scorned by mankind and despised by the people. All who see me mock me; they make mouths at me; they wag their heads; "He trusts in the Lord; let him deliver him; let him rescue him, for he delights in him!" Yet you are he who took me from the womb; you made me trust you at my mother's breasts. On you was I cast from my birth, and from my mother's womb you have been my God. Be not far from me, for trouble is near, and there is none to help. Many bulls encompass me; strong bulls of Bashan surround me; they open wide their mouths at me, like a ravening and roaring lion. I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint; my heart is like wax; it is melted within my breast; my strength is dried up like a potsherd, and my tongue sticks to my jaws; you lay me in the dust of death. For dogs encompass me; a company of evildoers encircles me; they have pierced my hands and feet— I can count all my bones— they stare and gloat over me; they divide my garments among them, and for my clothing they cast lots. But you, O Lord, do not be far off! O you my help, come quickly to my aid! Deliver my soul from the sword, my precious life from the power of the dog! Save me from the mouth of the lion! You have rescued me from the horns of the wild oxen! I will tell of your name to my brothers; in the midst of the congregation I will praise you: You who fear the Lord, praise him! All you offspring of Jacob, glorify him, and stand in awe of him, all you offspring of Israel! For he has not despised or abhorred the affliction of the afflicted, and he has not hidden his face from him, but has heard, when he cried to him. From you comes my praise in the great congregation; my vows I will perform before those who fear him. The afflicted shall eat and be satisfied; those who seek him shall praise the Lord! May your hearts live forever! All the ends of the earth shall remember and turn to the Lord, and all the families of the nations shall worship before you. For kingship belongs to the Lord, and he rules over the nations. All the prosperous of the earth eat and worship; before him shall bow all who go down to the dust, even the one who could not keep himself alive. Posterity shall serve him; it shall be told of the Lord to the coming generation; they shall come and proclaim his righteousness to a people yet unborn, that he has done it.” (Psalm‬ ‭22:1-31‬)

CONSIDER: The saving acts of God in Christ at the cross - paying for the sins of the world, purchasing salvation for all who would believe - happened in space, time, and history. On certain days. There was Good Friday. Culminating with Resurrection Sunday.

Good Friday started out looking bad. It was necessary. As He hung on the cross, suspended between heaven and hell; bearing the sins of His people, Christ cried out the words of Ps. 22:1 “My God, My God, why have you forsaken Me?” On the cross, Christ was meditating on Psalm 22. Written 100 years before Jesus died on the cross and centuries before crucifixion was even invented as a form of capital punishment.

There was separation. Why have you forsaken me? David said in Psalm 23:4 “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for you are with me.” Yet Christ had to suffer the separation of our sin. It was a real sin-bearing that Jesus endured on the cross.

There was suffering. Psalm 22:1 continues, “far from my deliverance are the words of my groaning.” A graphic Hebrew word, means roaring like a lion. Pain so great you scream in anguish. Crucifixion was meant to inflict the greatest amount of suffering without the relief of death. Yet, the spiritual suffering was worse. He bore mountains of sin upon His back, enduring an in-our-place vicarious death, for us.

Good Friday starts in seeming defeat, yet leads to victory on Resurrection Sunday. Christ’s separation and suffering led to the greatest victory imaginable.

THINK: What does this declare about God? What are God’s people being called to do? What assurance is given? How does the Word of God transform our hearts and lives and relationships?

PRAY:‬‬ Pray these verses to God as a prayer. Pour out your heart in praise to God. Pray for others. Present needs to Him.