Hobart Herd – Psalms 22 – 5-21-20
This Psalm is very important to us as believers in the Lord Jesus Christ. Some of the last words of our Lord were quotes of verse 1, “My God, My God, why has Thou forsaken Me!” So we continue with the emphasis of the prophetic connection of the songs to the Messiah, King, Jesus Christ. I don’t know if there are any more heart wrenching words ever uttered then these by our Lord as He suffered, for the first time, total separation from the Father. Stop and think of the horror of that separation because of our sin. To think that the Son had never been separated in heart and soul from the person of the Father and His purpose and will. Together They had created the universe, together They had formed the plan of saving a lost humanity, and together they entered into this plan of redemption knowing the cost and pain They would suffer together.
There were many times in David’s life when he must have felt that God had forsaken Him. The break in relationship with King Saul when he threw his spear in insane anger and jealousy at David, the loss of his best friend Jonathon. The loss of his first born because of his adultery and sin with Bathsheba. The betrayal and back-stabbing son Absalom. All of these could have brought forth these words in cries to God. But none can compare to the cry of our Lord as the sins of the whole world, my sin and yours were placed upon Him and the Father turned His back on that sin.
Praise God this Psalm spends the rest of the verses stating faith and trust in God throughout the history of the relationship of God and His people, Israel. As David begins to recount all the times that God has been faithful and blessed His people even when they didn’t deserve it, this song becomes a song of praise instead of a song of painful woe. 27 All the ends of the earth shall remember and turn to the LORD, and all the families of the nations shall worship before you. 28 For kingship belongs to the LORD, and he rules over the nations. Psalms 22:27-28 Just like the glory of the resurrection after the terrible crucifixion comes the blessed hope that we all have that one day we will see the LORD come in all His majesty and reign forever.
Father, thank You for giving me that blessed hope when everything seems to be telling me that You have forsaken me. I could never understand what it must have been like for You and Your Son to be separated by my sin. Forgive me for thinking that You would ever forsake me after the great price You paid for me. May I always trust in the Hope that I have in Christ’s total victory. In Jesus Name, Amen! Pastor Rob