Sunday Scripture

 

Again today for Sunday Scripture we're continuing my simple study of Psalms.  You can see a copy of the journal I'm using here: The Book of Psalms 1-50 or you can find all the resources right here on Women Living Well, Psalms 1-50.  I'm attempting to SOAP each Psalm too, though some of them are longer so I will likely only do a selected passage from many of them. [Quick reminder that S stands for Scripture; O stands for for observation; A stands for application, and P stands for prayer.]  Each psalm's study also includes a reflection question, which I've been attempting to journal an answer to.  Today's study is from Psalm 22, zeroing in on verse 26.   But I couldn't do this psalm justice in looking at only that verse, so I dug just a little bit deeper.

S= "The meek shall eat, and be satisfied;  and be satisfied; they shall praise the LORD that seek Him; your heart shall live forever."  (Psalm 22:26)

O=The biblical heading for Psalm 22 says it was set to a tune titled "The deer of the dawn."  What a beautiful title!  Although I have no idea what the tune sounded like, the name is lovely.   C.I. Scofield, in the Scofield study Bible, titles this Psalm "The suffering Savior."  The ESV Bible that I own titles Psalm 22 "Why Have You Forsaken Me?"  The reflection question states that David "referenced the crucifixion of Jesus" in this psalm.  He did a lot more than "reference" the crucifixion.  Psalm 22 presents a graphic picture of crucifixion as a method of execution in general.  

This picture includes the bones out of joint (v. 14); profuse sweating (v.14); effects on the heart (v.14); exhausted strength and extreme thirst (v.15); hands and feet pierced (v.16) and more.  

And then there are the details that make this psalm so specifically about the crucifixion of Jesus: His desolate cry (v.1); the periods of light and darkness (v. 2); the contemptuous, humiliating treatment (v.8); the casting of lots for His garments (v. 18), among others.

Verses 1-21 speak of the crucifixion; verse 22 shifts to the resurrection.

And verses 26-31, as Scofield notes, "relate the results of the suffering and deliverance described in this psalm and prove its Messianic reference beyond all question.  It could not possibly be said of the suffering and ... deliverance of any mere human being that it would result in:

• both the meek and the prosperous being fed (v. 26, 29);
• all the ends of the earth turning to the LORD (v. 27);
• all the dead eventually bowing before Him (v. 29);
• a new people being born (v. 31).

Cross-reference for "meek" -- "The humble shall see this, and be glad; and your heart shall live that seek God."  (Psalm 69:32)

Cross-references for "eat" -- "And in this mountain shall the LORD of hosts make unto all people a feast of fat things, a feast of wines on the lees, of fat things full of marrow, of wines on the lees well refined."  (Isaiah 25:6)

"Therefore, thus saith the Lord God [to those that forsake Him]: Behold, My servants shall eat, but ye shall be hungry; behold, My servants shall drink, but ye shall be thirsty; behold, My servants shall rejoice, but ye shall be ashamed."  (Isaiah 65:13)

Cross-reference for "live forever" -- "I am the living bread that came down from heaven; if any man eat this bread, he shall live forever; and the bread that I will give is My flesh, which I will give for the life of the world."  (John 6:51)

A= As I think about seeking the Lord, it seems to me that "before I sought Him, He sought for me", as the hymn writer has said.  I did not really know how to seek Him (nor did I have much intent to do so) until He first began to draw me to Himself.  This is an incomparable gift -- that He not only made a way for sinful humans to be right with Him, but took the initiative in drawing us to where we could seek and find salvation.  Certainly all praise goes to Him and Him alone for my salvation!  Because of this amazing gift, I have the promise of eternal life.

P= "Lord,  how incredibly thankful I am that You drew me to the place where I would seek Your salvation.  After I had resisted You for years, You showed me You were the only answer to my soul's hunger and my heart's need.  Now, having found salvation, I have so much to praise You for.  I could spend eternity praising You for who You are and all that You have done -- and I will, in fact, be doing just that.  I praise You in the matchless name of Your Son who died for me! Amen."

Reflection Question:  In this psalm, David references the crucifixion of Jesus.  Then a promise is given -- all of those over all of the earth, who seek the Lord, will not only find Him but will praise Him!

God does not hide Himself from His people.  You have sought the Lord and found Him!  There is no greater gift!  How does remembering that God has revealed Himself to you lead you to praise Him for your salvation?  Who can you pray for today that does not know Christ?  Write your prayer below.

My response: Remembering how God revealed Himself to me certainly does lead me to praise Him for my salvation.  I have many friends who don't know Christ ... as well as some who think that they know Him but don't show a lot of evidence of a transformed life.  

My prayer:  "Lord, I pray for my friends today.  I pray that You will be working in the hearts and lives of those who don't truly know You.  Draw them to the place where they fully realize their need for You and begin to actively seek You.  Help them to understand that You are the only complete answer to the needs in their hearts.  Bring these friends into a genuine and growing relationship with You, I pray in Jesus' name, Amen."

And there is our very simple study of Psalm 22:26.   I hope it's been a blessing!