Psalm 22

“And in the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, ‘Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?’ which means, ‘My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” -Mark 15:34

“My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, from the words of my groaning?” – Psalm 22:1

Jesus quotes scripture from Psalm 22 while on the cross. When I think of this, I cannot help but think of the sovereignty and provision of God. All His Word that we get to read, easily accessible, in multiple translations, the actual words of Christ and the Creator. I think of the agony of that moment and yet still, Christ is recalling scripture.

What do you do in times of struggle?

Another interesting thing about this Psalm is it starts out in desperation and with the question of feeling like God has forsaken them, but ultimately ends in praise.

Where does your questioning usually end up? In praise? In acknowledging sovereignty?

As I reread this psalm this week, I read it through the eyes of Christ the best I could. I tried to imagine being in a predicament like He faced on the cross and read this passage. I would encourage you to do the same. I’d like to share with you some of the things that stuck out to me, friend.

In verse 11, the Psalmist writes, “Be not far from me, for trouble is near and there is no help.” We know our minds cannot comprehend the knowledge of God, so I don’t think it’s far-fetched for me to make the assumption that Jesus knew the full context of quoting verse 1 while on the cross. He knew what all the verses to follow said, and they, too, could be applied to the situation. He fulfilled so much scripture through His actions and words, especially on the cross. Imagine if we were that meticulous with ours; that's a topic for another time. As He cries out the feeling of loneliness while carrying the weight of sin for the world, it makes this verse later on, really stick out. He was crying out to the Father because that is all He had as far as someone to understand what He was feeling. Trouble was near and there was no help. No replacement, no sacrifice or atonement that could do what Jesus did for the world.

“I am poured out like water, all my bones are out of joint; my heart is like wax: it is melted within my breast: my strength is dried up like a potsherd, and my tongue sticks to my jaws; you lay me in the dust of death.” – Psalm 22:14-15

Jesus’ bones were indeed broken, out of joint, His heart overworked and under-stimulated and supplied from exhaustion and loss of blood. He was out of physical strength, evident in His collapse while carrying the cross, He thirsted (John 19:28), He was buried (spoiler alert: not for long!) He was encompassed by evildoers, His hands and feet pierced. His garments divided, just as the Psalm describes.

However, He was delivered.

“All the ends of the earth shall remember and turn to the Lord, and all the families of the nations shall worship before you. For kingship belongs to the Lord, and he rules over the nations.” – Psalm 22:27-28

All the ends of the earth shall remember and turn to the Lord. All will worship. In verse 31, it says even the unborn will know of His righteousness. That He has done it.

He has done it.

Does that give you chills like it does me?

He has done it. It is finished. There is no fear, no worry, doubt, or circumstance that will ever change that. All the nations and people will know. All will worship. So, really, how bad off are you? If you have accepted Christ, you’ve already won. End your turmoil and questioning and groaning with praise just like this psalm. Rest in the truth that though you may feel forsaken, God has known you from your earliest days and will know you for the rest of them and beyond. Maybe the deliverance you’ve been waiting on is not immediate like the Forsaken One felt in this passage, but know that with Christ, there is no losing. You are a winner either way. David wrote this poem before Jesus ever walked the Earth, yet it so heartbreakingly and beautifully sums up the crucifixion. David’s own suffering can now be used to help someone like me try to grasp at some of the feelings Jesus probably felt being fully man and still yet, fully God. It is a lot to try to wrap your brain around but relating to David is a lot more attainable to me most days, let's be real because David was only fully man.

But wow, What a Savior. One who felt all the things I feel and still chose more because of the immense love of all the people ever.

He will use your turmoil and feelings of being forsaken for good; let Him.