GREAT SALVATION--GREAT GLORY
- Key Verse
- "You who fear the Lord, praise him! All you descendants of Jacob, honor him! Revere him, all you descendants of Israel! For he has not despised or disdained the suffering of the afflicted one; he has not hidden his face from him but has listened to his cry for help." (Psalm 22:23-24)
READ THE PASSAGE
Central Truth
When God's salvation comes in the most dire circumstances, His glory is revealed to the greatest extent.
Reflections
Have you ever noticed how difficult it is to see the good in something without having also seen the opposite? Gas that cost $2.59 per gallon now seems good after having paid $3.95 a few years ago. Our economic woes seem like prosperity compared to the conditions in Haiti after the recent earthquake. Though my kids don't always like the family meals and dad's prayer times, they come home smiling after spending the weekend with the "interesting" family of a college friend. Pain highlights pleasure. Grief highlights joy. Depression highlights peace.In Psalm 22, David finds himself in a very difficult situation. We cannot tell exactly what is going on because the words he uses to describe his pain and suffering sound more like an execution than an illness or conflict. In the end, he resolves it by saying that his rescue will produce praise for God that will extend to the "ends of the earth" and "to a people unborn." A closer examination of the description will begin to reveal that David is describing a crucifixion. And not just any crucifixion, he gives us a vivid description of the crucifixion of Jesus. Under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, David describes the suffering of Jesus, including the words His mockers will speak to Him at the cross (vv.7-8; Matthew 27:39, 43), His bones being out of joint (v.14, common in crucifixion), the piercing of His hands and feet (v.16; Luke 24:39), the dividing and gambling over His clothes (v.18; Matthew 27:35) and even the words that Jesus would speak from the cross (v.1; Matthew 27:46). Yet the result of Jesus' dreadful suffering was to bring about salvation that would reach to the ends of the earth. God rescued Jesus from the suffering and death that He experienced for us. He raised Jesus from the dead, bringing salvation to the ends of the earth and to the generations not yet born.
I don't know what you are suffering with today. I do know that God takes the worst and brings about the best for His glory and our good.
Discussion Questions
1. How have the hard things in your life resulted in you learning the blessings of the good things?2. What are you facing right now that you need a supernatural rescue from God?
3. Who is hearing of God's salvation from your lips and life? Are you passing it on to the next generation?
Comments
The views expressed under “Comments” are solely
those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Hill Country Bible Church NW.
Chip Smith
February 1, 2010 05:18 AM
Wow! This is a great way to look at this Psalm, Tim. If you are a small business owner, like my family, you have felt the negative impact of our weakened economy. Also, we talk with our regular clients almost every day and hear of the loss many are experiencing. On the flip side, it has caused our family to laser in on what's really important and opened opportunities to pray with clients and share about the hope we find in Christ. Your log this morning has helped me to be grateful for the growth and opportunities our current economic crisis is providing instead of lamenting on the negative impact. Thanks Tim and have a great week.
John Covell
February 1, 2010 07:49 AM
Tim, This passage from God's word and your reflections landed right on the day I needed it! Thanks! john
Staci Reichmanis
February 1, 2010 08:01 AM
Thanks Tim! What needed encouragment to stay focused not on the struggles I am going through but on the one who will get me through them, and on what he wants to do to bring glory to himself! I can't wait to praise his name to someone new today!
Bob A. King
February 1, 2010 08:36 AM
Comparisons and contrasts are incredibly effective teachers and reminders. I appreciate your insight and reminder this morning, Tim, and rejoice in my privilege to pass the gospel on not only to the next generation but also to the "previous" and "Passing" generation. We are truly blessed and thank God for you.
Cheryl White
February 1, 2010 08:38 AM
I continue to be amazed at how the Journey continues to minister to me in my current need of the day. How I needed the reminder today that God is the GREAT PLANNER and will make all things work together for HIS good!
Cheryl White
February 1, 2010 08:39 AM
I continue to be amazed at how the Journey continues to minister to me in my current need of the day. How I needed the reminder today that God is the GREAT PLANNER and will make all things work together for HIS good!
Ted Davenport
February 1, 2010 08:59 AM
Thanks for your words of wisdom this morning. I mentioned to someone yesterday and again this morning how blessed I am to be under your teaching. And I have learned only recently how life trials & hardships point to blessings we have. Thanks for the reminder.
Laurie Carlson
February 1, 2010 09:52 AM
Tim, what great truths about suffering and how it brings about God's glory to those who suffer well for the Kingdom. An example shared with me today is about our friend Pastor Matt Chandler in Dallas. He is using his public platform to suffer well his battle with cancer. Here's a link to an article written in USA today: http://www.usatoday.com/news/2010-02-01-pastor31_ST_N.htm?csp=usat.me
Linda Jean Butler
February 1, 2010 11:54 AM
Thanks for the words that really hit home. I got a giggle about the "interesting family", which I remember hearing a lot about when my kids were in college :-D Makes me wonder how often WE are that family to others. God made us all unique and that's what is so fun about the family of God. We are all interesting...and all equally loved by our Father.
randy
February 1, 2010 03:10 PM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yZ1b6WaM8Cg# All the ends of the earth will remember and turn to the LORD, and all the families of the nations will bow down before Him,
Marilyn Dixon
February 1, 2010 07:48 PM
I've been feeling down in the dumps lately so appreciated your words of encouragement to remember God's blessings in the hard things. Blessed be His name "when the sun's shining down on me" and "when the darkness closes in". Thank Him for the promise that "All things work together for good to those that love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose." Romans 8:28
Rob Rodriguez
February 1, 2010 08:08 PM
Tim, Thanks for reminding me that I am so blessed to be loved by my Savior, Jesus Christ. The Rodriguez's miss you on Sundays....from our home in Bryan, TX to yours, God Bless!