Intro: One of the things I so love about David in Scripture is just how real and honest he is about his feelings. David faces a myriad of emotions throughout his life; we know because he writes songs about where he finds himself in each season. David shares many emotions in the song we will look at, today (Ps 22). In the beginning, he laments—he passionately expresses his grief and sorrow. He feels hopeless and many of his days seem insurmountable. This giant killer struggles as his courage and spiritual vitality wanes. He feels forsaken and abandoned by God. David questions how God could allow this injustice to happen to him? David has always maintained a resilient trust in God, but for some reason God is silent and it is almost more than David can endure. Have you ever had a season when you grieved with a “no help” outlook?
David decides to take a good look at himself; he evaluates his emotions and he realizes he has allowed life’s challenges to diminish his trust in his Creator and Lord. God has always been faithful to his people; nothing has changed and God is not man that He should lie (Nu 23:19). So, David decides it’s time to stop trying to figure things out on his own and to humbly turn his burdens over to God. When he does, David experiences a breakthrough. In God’s timing, He moves in David’s behalf. David experiences a private deliverance that drives him to proclaim the goodness of God publicly.
At times in our lives, God is quietly working in our souls to bring deliverance. The challenge is to remain faithful during the times we may be hurting the most. During these times, let us hold fast to the truth that His grace is sufficient for all our needs and His power is made perfect in our weakness (2 Cor 12:9). “When the righteous cry out, the Lord hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles” (Ps 34:17). So, like David, let’s pray when we are hurting, because prayer leads the way to praise!
Psalm 22:1-2, 19-28 NLT
1
My God, my God, why have you abandoned me? Why are you so far away when I groan for help?
2
Every day I call to you, my God, but you do not answer. Every night I lift my voice, but I find no relief.
19
O Lord, do not stay far away! You are my strength; come quickly to my aid!
20
Save me from the sword; spare my precious life from these dogs.
21
Snatch me from the lion’s jaws and from the horns of these wild oxen.
22
I will proclaim your name to my brothers and sisters. I will praise you among your assembled people.
23
Praise the Lord, all you who fear him! Honor him, all you descendants of Jacob! Show him reverence, all you descendants of Israel!
24
For he has not ignored or belittled the suffering of the needy. He has not turned his back on them, but has listened to their cries for help.
25
I will praise you in the great assembly. I will fulfill my vows in the presence of those who worship you.
26
The poor will eat and be satisfied. All who seek the Lord will praise him. Their hearts will rejoice with everlasting joy.
27
The whole earth will acknowledge the Lord and return to him. All the families of the nations will bow down before him.
28
For royal power belongs to the Lord. He rules all the nations.
29
Let the rich of the earth feast and worship. Bow before him, all who are mortal, all whose lives will end as dust.
30
Our children will also serve him. Future generations will hear about the wonders of the Lord.
31
His righteous acts will be told to those not yet born. They will hear about everything he has done.
Prayer: Lord, thank you for being with us in good times and in the hardest of times. I pray for the hearts of your human creation, today. May the world wake up and see that you are the Deliverer and the Righteous One who rules in justice. In Jesus’ name. Amen.