At one time or another, you’ve felt helpless or without hope in a situation. There might come a time when you’ll call out to God, but not hear back. More likely than not, everyone will find themselves in such a situation. In Psalm 22, David was desperate for help! For some reason, God had not shown His face towards him, causing desperation within David. Because of this, David regroups and remembers the past goodness of God. He recalls this same thing happening to his fathers throughout past generations. He solaces in the fact that God will ALWAYS bless those who wait on Him!
1. Willful Waiting in His Word
Psalm 22:1b-2 … 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 22:19 But be not thou far from me, O LORD: O my strength, haste thee to help me.
There was a vast distance felt between David and the Lord. He felt like his prayers weren't getting past the roof over him. He felt distraught and alone in his time of need. It is times like these where it's easiest to give up and throw in the towel or to justify doing your own thing. It would have been convenient to look for answers and for help elsewhere when they weren't coming from God. Instead of resorting to any of these things naturally—David still relied upon Him! When he didn't hear a yes or a no, David simply waited. This may be the hardest of the three answers because one at least gets an answer with a yes or a no, but to wait is to be in suspense and at the mercy of whatever the answer may end up being! When we don't hear an answer from God, may we wait on Him instead of running to solutions outside of Him!
2. The fruition of the Forefather's Faith
Psalm 22:3-5 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.
One of the awe-inspiring motives to wait on the Lord is on display here—He has worked miraculously in the past! David's current generation has learned how their fathers waited on Him for deliverance. His forefathers waited on His answers, and He answered. David was able to be confident in the Lord BECAUSE those who went on before he did so! They trusted in God and weren't short-changed, so he decided to do the same! May we remember the wonderful things that God has done not only for others but also for ourselves! May His past blessings motivate us to continue depending on Him.
3. Proper Perspective of Person
Psalm 22:6-8 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.
David sought God because he had the PROPER perspective of himself! Though it may sound insulting and off-putting, he thought of himself as a "a worm", as "no man", as "as the reproach of men", and as "despised of people"! In comparison to God's holiness—this is who we truly are! Willfully acknowledging the type of person, we will surely push us to the Almighty for His sole help! We wouldn't help but wait on Him for His answers! Not only that, but David also ONLY wanted God's help in this situation because he wanted to prove to the world that God truly was real! This caused others to say, "He trusted on the LORD that he would deliver him: Let him deliver him, seeing he delighted in him." May our testimony before others be that we trusted and depended in the Lord. This will draw them to Him as they understand that God ALWAYS pulls through!
4. God's Guaranteed Goodness
Psalm 22:26-27 The meek shall eat and be satisfied: They shall praise the LORD that seek him: Your heart shall live for ever. All the ends of the world shall remember and turn unto the LORD: And all the kindreds of the nations shall worship before thee.
God's blessing is ALWAYS guaranteed when one waits on Him!! This is what David grew confident in as he waited on Him. He states that the "meek shall eat and be satisfied". It's not any person that will eat and be satisfied - it's the meek person! This is he who has God's power coursing through them in a wise and loving manner. He proclaims that "They shall praise the LORD that seek him". When one trusts and walks in the steps of God drawn out in Scripture, the natural byproduct would be God's favor and blessing. As David remains faithful at God's side, God will take pleasure in his demeanor and will bless him for it! The same is true of us!
5. Following in His Footsteps
Psalm 22:1a My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?
Psalm 22:18 They part my garments among them, And cast lots upon my vesture.
Psalm 22:16b ... They pierced my hands and my feet.
It is very interesting to note how David compared his suffering eerily similar to the crucifixion of Christ! It's as if David was also taking up his cross! This is very telling of what lies ahead of every believer. We will all at one point or another have to carry our "spiritual cross". It is in times like these that we will so much more need to trust in His answers and timing! Let's remember that Christ STILL trusted and depended on the Father as He prayed in the garden of Gethsemane for help before carrying His cross!
