David’s Problems Were A Testimony For Future Generations

Psalm 22:1- 31

To the chief Musician upon Aijeleth Shahar, A Psalm of David.

Apparently, this was a song to be sung at the offering of the morning sacrifice, just as it is getting light. 

“My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? why art thou so far from helping me, and from the words of my roaring?  O my God, I cry in the daytime, but thou hearest not; and in the night season, and am not silent.” (Psalm 22:1-2)

Once again David refers to how often we feel that God does not hear our prayers because we do not see instantaneous results.  We feel that God has forsaken us or turned his back, and though we pray continually it seems like no one is listening. 

“But thou art holy, O thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel.  Our fathers trusted in thee: they trusted, and thou didst deliver them.  They cried unto thee, and were delivered: they trusted in thee, and were not confounded.

But I am a worm, and no man; a reproach of men, and despised of the people.  All they that see me laugh me to scorn: they shoot out the lip, they shake the head, saying, He trusted on the LORD that he would deliver him: let him deliver him, seeing he delighted in him. ” (Psalm 22:3-8)

David could see how God blessed their forefathers in the past, answering their prayers and delivering them repeatedly.  The problem was that he didn’t feel he was worthy of such response.  He had accepted the judgment of other people.  They mocked him and implied they didn’t think God would deliver him.  That is often what gets us into trouble.

“But thou art he that took me out of the womb: thou didst make me hope when I was upon my mother's breasts.  I was cast upon thee from the womb: thou art my God from my mother's belly.  Be not far from me; for trouble is near; for there is none to help.” (Psalm 22:9-11)

When David looked at his past, he realized how much God had done for him, blessing him in allowing him to be born and letting him begin to learn of God as an infant. He asks that God be close in this time because there is nowhere else to turn.   

“Many bulls have compassed me: strong bulls of Bashan have beset me round.  They gaped upon me with their mouths, as a ravening and a roaring lion.

I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint: my heart is like wax; it is melted in the midst of my bowels.  My strength is dried up like a potsherd; and my tongue cleaveth to my jaws; and thou hast brought me into the dust of death.  For dogs have compassed me: the assembly of the wicked have enclosed me: they pierced my hands and my feet.  I may tell all my bones: they look and stare upon me.  They part my garments among them, and cast lots upon my vesture.” (Psalm 22:12-18)

While David is describing how he feels, that he is surrounded by angry bulls, his description is prophetic as to what Christ would go through when he was crucified.  He describes the pain from hanging on the cross that dislocated his bones, the craving for a drink of water, the shame of the people staring at him, and finally the gambling for his clothing even while he was still alive.

“But be not thou far from me, O LORD: O my strength, haste thee to help me.  Deliver my soul from the sword; my darling from the power of the dog.  Save me from the lion's mouth: for thou hast heard me from the horns of the unicorns.  I will declare thy name unto my brethren: in the midst of the congregation will I praise thee.” (Psalm 22:19-22)

Despite what he was experiencing, he asks that God would move quickly to save him, delivering his life from those who sought to kill him, because he knew God still heard him even though he didn’t feel like it.  He commits to praising God, both among his family and before the entire nation.

“Ye that fear the LORD, praise him; all ye the seed of Jacob, glorify him; and fear him, all ye the seed of Israel.  For he hath not despised nor abhorred the affliction of the afflicted; neither hath he hid his face from him; but when he cried unto him, he heard.  My praise shall be of thee in the great congregation: I will pay my vows before them that fear him.  The meek shall eat and be satisfied: they shall praise the LORD that seek him: your heart shall live for ever.” (Psalm 22:23-26)

Those who love the Lord will understand that God has kept his promises, not turning his back to what David was suffering.  When David prayed God answered and he wants the world to know.    Those who fear God will be encouraged as they hear what God  has done. 

“All the ends of the world shall remember and turn unto the LORD: and all the kindreds of the nations shall worship before thee.  For the kingdom is the LORD'S: and he is the governor among the nations.  All they that be fat upon earth shall eat and worship: all they that go down to the dust shall bow before him: and none can keep alive his own soul.  A seed shall serve him; it shall be accounted to the Lord for a generation.  They shall come, and shall declare his righteousness unto a people that shall be born, that he hath done this.” (Psalm 22:27-31)

The entire world will understand God’s power and worship him as they see how God has worked in the Christian’s life to deliver him in the midst of his troubles.  Even the most powerful will recognize him as God, bowing to him as Lord.  Those who have already died will bow as well and there is no person who can escape that judgment.  A few will serve him, declaring his promises to future generations.  The problems we experience may not be even for our generation.