Thursday of Holy Week commemorates the last supper Jesus had with His disciples before He was arrested and killed. That was the night He was betrayed by one of His closest companions.
But God.
No matter the dark season, God is able to redeem and use anything for His glory. Not one thing happens in vain. John Newton, the writer of Amazing Grace, said,
“Everything is necessary that He sends, nothing is necessary that He withholds.”
This was true in John Newton’s life, in Jesus’ life, in my life and in your life.
In the verses from Psalm 22 we are tending into our souls today, we see another the shift the psalmist makes. We also saw this in verses 3 and 9.
Take time to ask God to teach you through His Word.
Lord, thank you for your Word. Speak through it and teach me about You. Amen.
Let’s examine Psalm 22:19-21.
But you, O LORD, do not be far off! O you my help, come quickly to my aid! Deliver my soul from the sword, my precious life from the power of the dogs! Save me from the mouth of the lion! You have rescued me from the horns of the wild oxen!
In the previous verses (v.14-18) we got a peek at the intense suffering the psalmist is enduring. We are also seeing prophesy of the intense suffering Jesus endured on the cross to pay the penalty for our sin.
But God.
The psalmist and Jesus from the cross turned their focus to God. The psalmist cries out to God, calling Him LORD. This name of God is the personal, covenantal name of God, transliterated Yahweh. In a sense, the psalmist is reminding his own heart that his God would not fail him. He is a promise-keeping God.
As we examine these verses closer, we see not only what the psalmist is crying out to God but in v21 the psalmist is remembering what God HAS done. He writes, “You have rescued me from the horns of the wild oxen!”
I don’t know what this was referring to in the psalmist’s life, but I do know that remembering what God has done in your life are powerful truths that help to adjust our perspective.
So in noticing the lessons in these verses, we see the example the psalmist offers. In the trials and sufferings, we are to cry out to God. We are to remember what God has done in the past too.
As I consider how to walk this out in my day, I am reminded of my gratitude journal. It is such a treasure of ways God has worked, moved, and blessed in my life. He has answered prayers, He has thrilled me with sunsets, He has healed me with verses at the right time. Keeping a record of these things has been my remembrance when I need it. In the hardships, open your gratitude journal, and remind yourself Who your covenant-keeping God has been to you! Then ask Him to do it again and keep watch for Him.