Intro:The Bible is essentially a book about Jesus. From a garden walk with Adam and Eve to the cross we have a book about Jesus. From walking on water to raising from the dead we have a book about Jesus. From the founding of the Church to the return of the King we have a book about Jesus.
The Bible is a book about Jesus. Our lives should be as well.
This morning we will look at a Psalm that looks forward 1000 years to tell us about the death of Jesus. As you read this you will read the cross from Jesus' eyes. This is how it felt to Him. This is how He saw it.
Read:
Psalm 22:1-25
For the director of music. To the tune of "The Doe of the Morning." A psalm of David.
1 My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?
Why are you so far from saving me, so far from the words of my groaning?
2 O my God, I cry out by day, but you do not answer, by night, and am not silent.
3 Yet you are enthroned as the Holy One; you are the praise of Israel.
4 In you our fathers put their trust; they trusted and you delivered them.
5 They cried to you and were saved; in you they trusted and were not disappointed.
6 But I am a worm and not a man, scorned by men and despised by the people.
7 All who see me mock me; they hurl insults, shaking their heads:
8 "He trusts in the LORD; let the LORD rescue him. Let him deliver him, since he delights in him."
9 Yet you brought me out of the womb; you made me trust in you even at my mother's breast.
10 From birth I was cast upon you; from my mother's womb you have been my God.
11 Do not be far from me, for trouble is near and there is no one to help. 12 Many bulls surround me; strong bulls of Bashan encircle me. 13 Roaring lions tearing their prey open their mouths wide against me.
14 I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint. My heart has turned to wax; it has melted away within me.
15 My strength is dried up like a potsherd, and my tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth; you lay me in the dust of death.
16 Dogs have surrounded me; a band of evil men has encircled me, they have pierced my hands and my feet.
17 I can count all my bones; people stare and gloat over me.
18 They divide my garments among them and cast lots for my clothing.
19 But you, O LORD, be not far off; O my Strength, come quickly to help me. 20 Deliver my life from the sword, my precious life from the power of the dogs. 21 Rescue me from the mouth of the lions; save me from the horns of the wild oxen.
22 I will declare your name to my brothers; in the congregation I will praise you. 23 You who fear the LORD, praise him! All you descendants of Jacob, honor him! Revere him, all you descendants of Israel! 24 For he has not despised or disdained the suffering of the afflicted one; he has not hidden his face from him but has listened to his cry for help. 25 From you comes the theme of my praise in the great assembly; before those who fear you will I fulfill my vows.
Think:
Hard to read these words and not worship the Lord for His sacrifice for us. 1000 years before He suffered and died this Psalm captures the event.
The details are excruciating. This Psalm talks about:
1. What people did to Him
- Scorned and despised
- Mocked
- Insulted
- Pierced His hands and feet
- Stare and gloat
- Roll dice for His clothes
- Abandoned
- Like a worm, less than human
- Brokenhearted
- Dried up
- Exposed
He chose this course because of love. This was the only answer for the curse that was laid upon us all for our rebellion. He paid my price, He paid yours.
What is more amazing than the fact that He died so horribly is that He knew what was coming and still chose the course. That is amazing love.
Do:
Take time now to worship the God who pays your debt.
Remember to trust the Lord in all your difficulty today. There is nothing you cannot handle with His help.
Take a few minutes to watch this video from Michael W. Smith. It came out many years ago but still has a great impact on me. Saw it at a bookstore in San Luis Obispo, CA in the late 80s. It's called Secret Ambition. Pay attention to the words and the message.
DevoLink: Devotions to help you Link with God.
No comments:
Post a Comment