Today’s Bible Reading:
Exodus 4:1-5:21; Matthew 18:1-20; Psalm 22:19-31; Proverbs 5:15-21
Back in Psalm 22 this morning as I continue to look at this Psalm that begins with the same words that Jesus spoke from the cross, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”
Today that cry turns towards praise. Where once all seemed lost, now David’s prayer points us towards the victory we have in God.
I will proclaim your name to my brothers.
I will praise you among your assembled people.
Praise the Lord, all you who fear him! (Psalm 22:22-23a)
Where once all seemed lost, now David’s prayer points us towards the victory we all have in God.
I will praise you in the great assembly.
I will fulfill my vows in the presence of those who worship you.
The poor will eat and be satisfied.
All who seek the Lord will praise him.
Their hearts will rejoice with everlasting joy.
The whole earth will acknowledge the Lord and return to him.
All the families of the nations will bow down before him.
For the kingdom is the Lord’s
And He rules over the nations.
All the prosperous of the earth will eat and worship,
All those who go down to the dust will kneel before Him,
Even he who cannot keep his soul alive. (Psalm 22:25-29)
Suffering may last for a time, but the end is sure-there will come a time when the whole earth will turn to the LORD, every person, every nation. This puts me in mind of Christ on the cross once again.
Therefore, since we also have such a great cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let’s rid ourselves of every obstacle and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let’s run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking only at Jesus, the originator and perfecter of the faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. (Hebrews 12:1-2)
Even while calling out, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” Jesus had His eyes fixed on the final glory that would come in the kingdom of God. He endured the pain because it was the path to the greatest victory imaginable. Sin and death conquered at last. The people of God restored and perfected and looking forward to enjoying God forever.
Our path through suffering can be used by God to spread the Gospel to the ends of the earth. That is the picture David paints with this psalm. The story does not end with us, but goes on to future generations.
Our children will also serve him.
Future generations will hear about the wonders of the Lord.
His righteous acts will be told to those not yet born.
They will hear about everything he has done. (Psalm 22:30-31)
So as the writer of Hebrews stated, let us run the race with endurance, looking to Jesus, the originator (the author) and perfector of our faith. I may be tempted to think this is my story, but in reality it is God’s. He has not abandoned me, and He never will. These are the truths that I must pin my hopes on. These are the truths that will guide me through the hard times.
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. (Psalm 22:24)
Today that cry turns towards praise. Where once all seemed lost, now David’s prayer points us towards the victory we have in God.
I will proclaim your name to my brothers.
I will praise you among your assembled people.
Praise the Lord, all you who fear him! (Psalm 22:22-23a)
Where once all seemed lost, now David’s prayer points us towards the victory we all have in God.
I will praise you in the great assembly.
I will fulfill my vows in the presence of those who worship you.
The poor will eat and be satisfied.
All who seek the Lord will praise him.
Their hearts will rejoice with everlasting joy.
The whole earth will acknowledge the Lord and return to him.
All the families of the nations will bow down before him.
For the kingdom is the Lord’s
And He rules over the nations.
All the prosperous of the earth will eat and worship,
All those who go down to the dust will kneel before Him,
Even he who cannot keep his soul alive. (Psalm 22:25-29)
Suffering may last for a time, but the end is sure-there will come a time when the whole earth will turn to the LORD, every person, every nation. This puts me in mind of Christ on the cross once again.
Therefore, since we also have such a great cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let’s rid ourselves of every obstacle and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let’s run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking only at Jesus, the originator and perfecter of the faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. (Hebrews 12:1-2)
Even while calling out, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” Jesus had His eyes fixed on the final glory that would come in the kingdom of God. He endured the pain because it was the path to the greatest victory imaginable. Sin and death conquered at last. The people of God restored and perfected and looking forward to enjoying God forever.
Our path through suffering can be used by God to spread the Gospel to the ends of the earth. That is the picture David paints with this psalm. The story does not end with us, but goes on to future generations.
Our children will also serve him.
Future generations will hear about the wonders of the Lord.
His righteous acts will be told to those not yet born.
They will hear about everything he has done. (Psalm 22:30-31)
So as the writer of Hebrews stated, let us run the race with endurance, looking to Jesus, the originator (the author) and perfector of our faith. I may be tempted to think this is my story, but in reality it is God’s. He has not abandoned me, and He never will. These are the truths that I must pin my hopes on. These are the truths that will guide me through the hard times.
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. (Psalm 22:24)
May grace, peace, and mercy abound,
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