Closer Day 2 – Psalm 22:9-18

Crosspointcity   -   January 16, 2023

Read: Psalm 22:9-18

9 Yet you are he who took me from the womb; you made me trust you at my mother’s breasts. 10 On you was I cast from my birth, and from my mother’s womb you have been my God. 11 Be not far from me, for trouble is near, and there is none to help. 12 Many bulls encompass me; strong bulls of Bashan surround me; 13 they open wide their mouths at me, like a ravening and roaring lion. 14 I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint; my heart is like wax; it is melted within my breast; 15 my strength is dried up like a potsherd, and my tongue sticks to my jaws; you lay me in the dust of death. 16 For dogs encompass me; a company of evildoers encircles me; they have pierced my hands and feet— 17 I can count all my bones— they stare and gloat over me; 18 they divide my garments among them, and for my clothing they cast lots.

Reflect

What do you look to when the enemy has you surrounded? When you feel that all hope is lost, where do you find hope? Too often, we look for hope in the things of this world, but hope can only be found in our Savior, Jesus Christ. Our hope and salvation have been present as far back as our conception in the womb. We were at our most vulnerable in our infancy, yet God has been with us, protecting and preserving us since the beginning. But what is the hope that He offers us?

David’s lament in this Psalm foreshadows what Jesus would endure through the cross on our behalf. David is not describing persecution; he is describing an execution. Through Jesus’ suffering and death on the cross, His burial, resurrection, and ascension, we are made new through His victory over death, hell, and the grave. Our hope is that one day He will return and make all things new and restore order to chaos.

“His suffering is our salvation. His suffering is our hope.” – Paul David Tripp

Prayer

Lord, help me remember. Help me remember what you have done for me. Help me not forget that you promised never to leave or forsake me. Help me remember that you care for me and watch over me.