When all seems lost
Introduction
Psalm 22
Functions on two levels:
A traumatic experience of David
It prophesies a more traumatic experience of Jesus at the cross
Looking at it from these two perspectives
Morning: Psalm 22 – through the eyes of David
Evening: Psalm 22 – through the eyes of Jesus
David was experiencing a traumatic time
It seems that David is under attack from an enemy (v12, 16)
Perhaps when David was annointed as King but Saul wanted to kill him
Perhaps when David was King and under attack from enemies
It has a devastating effect upon him (v14-15)
He cannot go on any longer
He is utterly drained and exhausted
He is as ‘good as dead’
Have you ever felt like this?
Has this gone on for quite some time?
As Christians – our troubles do not magically disappear / we do not automatically have an easy life!
Suffering is not due to sin – Jesus suffered!
Suffering is part and parcel of our Christian experience (until heaven)
How did David respond?
David was Prayerful
Psalm 22 is ultimately a prayer to God
David prayed
In times of trouble we need to pray
Often we look to ourselves
Often we look to others
Prayer can be the last resort
Example of Mary
The first thing we do is pray
We never go to ourselves or others first
Example of leader
James commands us – to pray
Example of Hezekiah
He does not look to his own resources
He does not look to allies/others
He cries out to God
David was Truthful
Truthful about his feelings (v14-15)
Honest with God about his weakness and fear
Do not deny your feelings
Example of Hannah
We can pour our heart out before God
Prayer is talking to God – whether happy or sad
Truthful about how he thought God was toward him (v1-2)
David had been regularly praying
To him it seemed it had gone nowhere
To him it seemed God had turned a deaf ear
To him it seemed God had forsaken him
David thinks that God had caused him great distress and was not helping him
This though is repeated in other psalms
Acknowledge the truth of your feelings
However, David knows God cares but he cannot see the evidence of it
There is a difference between accusing God of not caring and not understanding the situation
We must be spiritually honest
David was Mindful
He was mindful of how God had dealt with people in the past (v3-5)
David is talking to God but reminding himself of God’s track record with His people
Suffering can make us selfish
We are not the only ones who suffer
David recognised his ancestors suffered (but trusted in God)
David recognised that God delivered them
It is good to share our testimonies to encourage each other
Look back at Christian biographies to remind us of how God has worked
He was mindful of how God had intervened in his life (v9-10)
How God had cared and provided for him
How often we suffer from spiritual amnesia
Some people keep a prayer journal
There is a balance in the Psalms – he anchors his feelings in facts
It gives him renewed strength to keep him going (v11)
David was Joyful
The Psalm is in two parts: (v1-21) mournful / v22+ rejoicing
"You have answered me" – the reason for change
Was the psalm written in two sittings?
A later time where God poured out His blessing
God was listening (v24)
Though it did not feel like this to David
But there was a change v21/22
Do we put on a front at church?
Be encouraged – there will be a v22 onwards for you
God will deliver you
We will praise God (v25)
Though this may be in heaven – for there may be many trials
There will be a time of no more suffering, pain and death
Closing Remarks
May God use this Psalm to help us to respond in difficult times