At some point in our lives, most of us have come across Psalm 22, and have been told of it’s prophetic nature; how it tells of Jesus’ future sufferings. But it also speaks to our hearts and our lives. We, too, have felt the sting of suffering, we have felt “poured out”, our strength dried up as others gloat over our trials. We are broken, like the potsherd, a piece of pottery that was at one time beautiful and helpful, but now, damaged and useless.
Does suffering mean we have no faith? Does it tell us that we need only to believe more, try harder? Certainly not. The writer of these words, King David, was a man of faith, and yet he was, at times, driven to despair by life’s changing circumstances. Jesus, too, as He hung on the cross, asked aloud where God had gone. No, although we may at times despair, our thoughts echoing those of this Psalm, remember that God has promised to be with us, has raised Jesus from the dead, and will carry us through. Read on in the Psalm to verse 24: “For He has not despised nor abhorred the affliction of the afflicted; nor has He hidden His face from him; But when he cried to Him for help, He heard.”
Lord, in our brokenness restore us. In times of despair, come to us with the hope of healing.
-Tammy Dahling
Schnorr von Carolsfeld, woodcuts © WELS Permission to use these copyrighted items is limited to personal and congregational use.
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