We have seen this scenario many times, frequently in movies, but some of us may have lived through such an event. The situation that I am referring to is when everything looks completely dark, and there seems to be no hope at all for success and everything is bleak, then suddenly things turn around and victory is there. Like in an old-time Western movie, the cavalry has arrived! Or the underdog in a boxing match, who has repeatedly gotten knocked down to the mat, suddenly gets a second wind and comes up swinging powerfully. We see this in our psalm for this week, a portion of Psalm 22. Let’s take a look.
Psalm 22, a psalm written by King David, is a familiar one to many people, and generally the focus is on the first half, verses 1 - 21. That first half of the psalm is very Messianic, and has many verses which were prophecies that were fulfilled during the crucifixion of the Lord Jesus, showing the suffering Messiah. However, in the second half of that psalm, verses 22-31, everything takes a turn, and we read of the exultation and glory of the Messiah.
Throughout the first half we read verses that indicate that the Messiah has been taken by His enemies, beaten, mocked and ridiculed, and seemingly defeated. He is crying out to the Lord for help and deliverance, but that help doesn’t seem to be coming. The last verses of that first half are cries to God for deliverance from the sword, from the power of the dog, the lion's mouth, and the horns of a wild oxen (Psalm 22:20-21). Along with the physical afflictions, these are not something someone would likely be able to conquer and come out fine.
All of a sudden the tone and tenor of the psalm makes a sudden and dramatic change. The Lord sends deliverance! Though the psalmist, King David, was in some sort of trouble for which he wrote this psalm, the Lord delivered him from that situation, and also from every other one, as he died an old man in his bed. However, since this psalm is very heavily a Messianic psalm, we need to look at it from the perspective of the Lord Jesus. From a human perspective, it would look like He was totally defeated, as He was shamefully treated, tortured, and died upon the cross. Yet Yahweh delivered Him, as well, when He raised Jesus from the dead on the third day. Early that morning, when no one was around, the stone was rolled away from the grave, and the Risen Savior came forth. God wonderfully delivers us in the quiet moments when we are hurting. We must be prepared to offer public praise for His care (vs. 22). We need to declare Jesus’ Name all over the world, and give Him the praise.
All throughout David’s life, and he found himself in many trials, he knew that God was there when he cried out for help. This also definitely was the case with the Messiah, Jesus (vs. 24). Despite how desperately dark and grim the situation seemed with the Lord Jesus during the last hours of His life, He knew that Yahweh heard His prayers (Luke 23:34, 46). Jesus knew that triumph was ahead for all who would believe in Him (Hebrews 12:2).
As this portion of Scripture continues we read that all of the world will turn to the Lord and worship Him (vs. 27). Many of the devout Jewish people throughout the Old Testament, and also into the New Testament, as well, felt that Yahweh was specifically their God. Though they believed He was the only true God, they felt that Gentiles had no part in Him, as He was their God. They believed that He hated the Gentiles. However, there are many verses throughout the Old Testament, particularly in the books of the prophets, and in psalms, where we read that other nations, the Gentiles, the people of the world, will turn to Yahweh in worship. Jesus died, not only for the Jews, but also for all mankind.
Some people have thought or implied that the things that happened to Jesus, His betrayal, phony trial, and crucifixion, were all a big mistake, something that God hadn’t planned, but which He had to quickly remedy. However as we read in verse 28, Yahweh rules over all of the nations. Everything is in His hands. God has a purpose for everything He does or permits. The Lord is sovereign, and nothing catches Him by surprise. He is in absolute control of the universe, the natural, and the political climate of this earth and in our lives.
As our psalm closes, King David reminds us of how important it is to be telling the future generations about the Lord, sharing His salvation message with those who follow us (vs. 30-31). Unborn generations depend on our faithfulness as we teach our children about the Lord, so they will teach their children, and their children’s children. If we fail to instruct our children about the Lord Jesus, it not only affects their eternal destination, but also the generations to come. If we are faithful, we will also affect future generations, as well. If we want our children to be saved (which all of us most definitely should), and to serve the Lord, they must hear about Him from us.
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