06 Apr 2009 03:53 AM

An Odyssey in the Psalms: Psalm 22(B)

Psalm 22 (Part B)

To the choirmaster: according to The Doe of the Dawn. A Psalm of David.

 1 My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, from the words of my groaning?

( You stay away, despite my complaints you don’t come and rescue me )

 

2 O my God, I cry by day, but you do not answer, and by night, but I find no rest.

3 Yet you are holy, enthroned on the praise of Israel .

4 In you our fathers trusted; they trusted, and you delivered them.

5 To you they cried and were rescued; in you they trusted and were not put to shame. (They were not disappointed)

6 But I am a worm and not a man scorned by mankind and despised by the people.

7All 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!"

(He trusts the Lord? Then let the Lord deliver him now!)

9 Yet you are he who took me from the womb; you made me trust you at my mother's breasts.

10On you was I cast from my birth, and from my mother's womb you have been my God.

11 Be not far from me, for trouble is near, and there is none to help.

 

In the second part of this psalm, we discover a prophetical message of the physical suffering Jesus would endure, as well as the feelings within while crucified.

We here see a sentiment of abandon from his Father.

 

"My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?"

 

Now from the sixth hourthere was darkness over all the landuntil the ninth hour.46And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, "Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?" that is, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" Matt hew 27:45-46

 

Realise that during his whole life on this earth, Jesus always felt the presence of his father. At any time, Jesus could talk with his father.

Be conscious that on this earth, Jesus was not welcome. He, who created the world and its inhabitants, lived rejected, more than anyone else during the course of his life.

The presence of the Father of Glory consoled him, encouraged him to continue the work which he was called to do. If you also, in your ministry, because of the sovereignty of Jesus in your life, undergo rejection, do like Jesus. Entertain a living relationship with the Lord of Armies. It is He who will console you, will renew your strength that you might persevere in His will.

 

Now, there on this damned cross, Jesus, for the first time in all eternity, looses contact with His Father.

In spirit, Jesus can no longer share with the God of Love.

The Great I Am has turned from him.

Because of us, Jesus undergoes the condemnation of being separated from the Father of Glory.

At the time Jesus needed the most comfort from his Father, he is alone.

Alone in front of the crowd’s sarcasms.

Alone in front of the roman soldier’s cruelty.

Alone in front of the Prince of the power of the Air who shouts “Victory!”

Alone and naked, despised by his people.

Alone in the suffering his creatures make him undergo.

Alone in front of the hatred from the people’s leaders.

Alone in front of the angel’s lack of understanding, when they see so great a love displayed.

While at the beginning of the creation Jesus received honour and glory from these beautiful creatures gathered to  acclaim the beauty of his inspiration, in this day, Jesus finds himself alone in this garbage dump, suffering and dying for those who are cursing him.

6 But I am a worm and not a man, scorned by mankind and despised by the people.

7All 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!"

39And those who passed by derided him, wagging their heads 40and saying, "You who would destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days, save yourself! If you are the Son of God, come down from the cross." 41So also the chief p riests, with the scribes and elders, mocked him, saying, 42"He saved others; he cannot save himself. He is the King of Israel ; let him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in him. 43He trusts in God; let God deliver him now, if he desires him. For he said, 'I am the Son of God.'" 44And the robbers who were crucified with him also reviled him in the same way. Matthew 27:39-44 

 

12 Many bulls encompass me; strong bulls of Bashan surround me;

13 They open wide their mouths at me, like a ravening and roaring lion.

On the rough wood of the cross, Jesus suffers the romans torture, inspired by the Prince of the power of the Air’s cruelty.

When reading the following verses, you’ll seize the extent of the suffering of a crucified:

14 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;

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.

 

While the tortured suffers the enemy of our soul’s rage, the moment of the fullness of God’s judgment comes.   

 

50 And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice and yielded up his spirit. Matthew 27:50 

 

Because he loved us, Jesus accepted to suffer this terrible agony in our place, to save us from the Holy and Righteous wrath of God. He offers us this marvelous salvation against our surrendering to Him.

Forsaking our sins, our unsettled life for a life of blessings in growth and maturity within a privileged relationship with the King of Kings.

By confiding in Him, Jesus transmits us our new mandate, as witnesses of the extraordinary work achieved within us: 

16But rise and stand upon your feet, for I have appeared to you for this purpose, to appoint you as a servant and witness to the things in which you have seen me and to those in which I will appear to you, 17delivering you from your people and from t he Gentiles--to whom I am sending you 18to open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.' Acts 26:16-18 

Will we obey Him with all our heart, by being sensitive to His guidance, to share this good news?

 

Prayer:

«Lord, my God, reading this part of this Psalm, I understand better the immense price of your sacrifice ! Because you loved me, You put on this cross Your Beloved Son, that he might be my substitute, suffering Your wrath because of my sins. Forever Jesus, I am grateful ! Here is my life, I am your servant!»

We wish you a good week!

Jacques Brouillard

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