Journeys Through Life as a Child of God

Have you ever meditated upon Psalm 22? That Psalm was part of my daily devotions on Tuesday, November 7. Perhaps you know this Psalm prophesies the suffering of Jesus on the cross.

“My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, from the words of my groaning?” (Psalm 22:1) Do you recognize this prayer of Jesus from the cross. (Matthew 27:46).

“6 But I am a worm and not a man, scorned by mankind and despised by the people. 7 All who see me mock me; they make mouths at me; they wag their heads; 8 ‘He trusts in the LORD; let him deliver him; let him rescue him, for he delights in him!’" (Psalm 22:6-8) Perhaps you hear the scorn and ridicule Jesus endured from the religious leaders of the day in these verses of Psalm 22. (Matthew 27:39-43)

“15 my strength is dried up like a potsherd, and my tongue sticks to my jaws; you lay me in the dust of death. 16 For dogs encompass me; a company of evildoers encircles me; they have pierced my hands and feet-- 17 I can count all my bones-- they stare and gloat over me; 18 they divide my garments among them, and for my clothing they cast lots. (Psalm 22:15-18) First, I personally hear the prophecy of Jesus’ thirst. (John 19:28) Did you also catch the prophecy of the piercing of Jesus’ hands and feet in His crucifixion? Or, did you take note of the casting of lots by the Roman soldiers for Jesus’ clothes? (Matthew 27:35)

The suffering Jesus’ endured for us was agonizing. Amazingly, Jesus knew this suffering and the cross were coming. He warned His disciples about His betrayal and crucifixion 4 separate times. Many scholars believe that Jesus spoke the entirety of Psalm 22 from memory on the cross.

But, in focusing on the prophecy of Jesus’ suffering in Psalm 22, we might miss His prayer and His praise at the end of the Psalm. :21 Save me from the mouth of the lion! You have rescued me from the horns of the wild oxen! 22 I will tell of your name to my brothers; in the midst of the congregation I will praise you: . . 30 Posterity shall serve him; it shall be told of the Lord to the coming generation; 31 they shall come and proclaim his righteousness to a people yet unborn, that he has done it.” (Psalm 22:21-23, 30-31) The Psalm also prophesies that after our Lord endured His suffering on the cross, His Father DID save and rescue Him. When God raised Jesus from the dead, He Lord also saved and rescued us!

When we face the trials, the suffering, the losses of life today, God is there to rescue us, to provide salvation, and hope. God’s people endure the pain, yet we also have reason to to hope, to trust, and to speak praise.

This week my eyes brimmed full of tears at the loss and pain suffered by God’s people. In addition to illnesses and hospitalizations, we suffered the expected, yet sudden death of Pastor Bob Besalski. He was pastor and mentor to many. He has been my pastor since 1965, a beloved mentor, father-figure, and friend. However, in and through the grief of loss, we can praise the Lord. Through faith in Jesus our Lord saves and rescues those we love. He saves and rescues us.

The trials of this world may lead us to question our Heavenly Father with the words of Jesus. “1 My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, from the words of my groaning?” But, in the saving love of God, which conquers sin and death in Jesus, we can also speak these words of praise, from our hearts. You have rescued me . . . 22 I will tell of your name to my brothers; in the midst of the congregation I will praise you.