Wednesday, June 14, 2017

Songs of Praise: Psalm 22

Psalm 22
Read the Word online by clicking the reference above or flip open the pages of your Bible.

Complaints alternate with expressions of trust. Descriptions of trouble are followed by petitions for God's deliverance.

O my God, I cry by day, but you do not answer, and by night, but I find no rest.
Yet you are holy, enthroned on the praises of Israel.
Psalm 22:2-3 ESV

Medicine and nutrition are a real part of our life in America. Acts of healing are often not credited to God in Christ. Some of the extraordinary medical accomplishments arise out of the gifts of technology today. Science at the hands of gifted medics hold great blessings! The technology God has gifted us with is outstanding.

Many perils are averted with the triumphant affirmation of faith, not only by the patients, but through the gifted skills of the medical staff. The individual may have walked with radical despair, then turned to give thanks and praise to God. Relief from pain and agony can go full circle as one experiences deliverance through faith.

There is no fear of being abandoned by the Lord. Our ancestors put their trust in the Lord. The psalmist calls true worshipers to praise the Lord for His delivering power. Even the suffering of Christ prophesied in this psalm -- My God, My God, why have You forsaken me? (Matthew 26:46, Mark 15:34) -- is followed by exaltation -- I will tell of Your name to my brothers; in the midst of the congregation I will praise You.

In physical, emotional, and spiritual suffering, we can rejoice in the Lord and His strength.

Heavenly Father, remind us again that Your ways are not our ways. The suffering Christ seems so totally opposite of a loving God. You turn familiar order and power on their heads. Yet, you continually renew life through the least, as well as the least expected.

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