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Following Jesus from Desolation to Restoration “Light: Experiencing Christ in the Psalms” Psalm 22

December 9, 2018 BIG IDEA There is hope within our everyday suffering. When we feel alone, there is hope. When God seems distant, there is hope. When we are at the end of ourselves, there is hope. Today we’ll find that hope by following Jesus from desolation to restoration.

THIS WEEK’S SCRIPTURE Context: This Psalm contains many shifting emotions. It is the story of first being forsaken by God and then being filled with his glory. It was applied immediately to David and ultimately to Messiah—Jesus Christ.

Psalm 22 TO THE CHOIRMASTER: ACCORDING TO THE DOE OF THE DAWN. A PSALM OF DAVID. 1

My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, from the words of my groaning? 2 O my God, I cry by day, but you do not answer, and by night, but I find no rest. 3

Yet you are holy, enthroned on the praises of Israel. 4 In you our fathers trusted; they trusted, and you delivered them. 5 To you they cried and were rescued; in you they trusted and were not put to shame. 6

But I am a worm and not a man, scorned by mankind and despised by the people. 7 All who see me mock me; they make mouths at me; they wag their heads; 8 “He trusts in the LORD; let him deliver him; let him rescue him, for he delights in him!” 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.

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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. 19

But you, O LORD, do not be far off! O you my help, come quickly to my aid! 20 Deliver my soul from the sword, my precious life from the power of the dog! 21 Save me from the mouth of the lion! You have rescued me from the horns of the wild oxen! 22

I will tell of your name to my brothers; in the midst of the congregation I will praise you: You who fear the LORD, praise him! All you offspring of Jacob, glorify him, and stand in awe of him, all you offspring of Israel! 24 For he has not despised or abhorred the affliction of the afflicted, and he has not hidden his face from him, but has heard, when he cried to him. 23

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From you comes my praise in the great congregation; my vows I will perform before those who fear him. 26 The afflicted shall eat and be satisfied; those who seek him shall praise the LORD! May your hearts live forever! 27

All the ends of the earth shall remember and turn to the LORD, and all the families of the nations shall worship before you. 28 For kingship belongs to the LORD, and he rules over the nations. 29

All the prosperous of the earth eat and worship; before him shall bow all who go down to the dust, even the one who could not keep himself alive. 30 Posterity shall serve him; it shall be told of the Lord to the coming generation; 31 they shall come and proclaim his righteousness to a people yet unborn, that he has done it.

DISCUSSION & APPLICATION 1. Desolation Caused by Suffering is Real Psalm 22:1-10 Throughout this Psalm, David forecasts the death and resurrection of Jesus. You’ve probably already noticed the very first phrase, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” Of course, this is the phrasing used by Jesus to describe his desolation as the Father looked away from sin just before the Lord’s death on the cross. It is a cry of the hurting and lonely. No doubt, many of us have cried out to God in similar fashion.

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a. Have you ever cried out to God when things seemed impossibly dark? Can you describe what that felt like?

b. Do you think that God answers the prayers of those that are at the end of themselves? Can you provide scripture to back up your answer?

c. How can we best come alongside someone that is in desolation? Based on your experience, what are some words or actions that we should avoid?

2. God Can Seem Distant Psalm 22:11 – Be not far from me, for trouble is near, and there is none to help. Trouble was near and help was missing. David himself had never been in such straits. He had always had friends and followers. At one point in his life he’d found himself at the head of hundreds of men. But like he whom David prefigured, his Antitype (Jesus Christ), now he was alone. Matthew 26:56 – “All the disciples forsook him and fled.” a. The Christian life seems to run through various seasons. At times, God seems near, and at times he seems far away. David lamented in verse 11: Be not far from me, for trouble is near, and there is none to help. David answered this feeling with continued prayer. Can you remember ever feeling like this? What did you do?

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b. The Psalmist’s words are haunting: “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” What would have happened if Jesus had betrayed us and given up on his mission? Can you thank him for his perseverance?

3. Evil Appears to Win Psalm 22:12-21 These words are truly reflective of David’s present suffering, but they are also a prophecy. Our Lord Jesus Christ would experience this aloneness, this pain, and this horrible suffering. He did it to glorify his father and to carry out his marvelous redemptive plan. But it seemed like evil would win the day: Psalm 22:16-18 – They have pierced my hands and feet— I can count all my bones—they stare and gloat over me; they divide my garments among them, and for my clothing they cast lots. a. The Bible is clear that Jesus has already defeated the enemy. “He has overcome the world” (John 16:33). Is there a sin or burden in your life that seems impossible to overcome? Can you spend a moment asking God to release you?

b. David seemed to be finished. The Lord, too, was in the hands of evil men. Yet God rescued them both. Our world seems to be encompassed in evil. Do you see hope for the future? Why or why not?

c. What can you do to bring hope into the lives of others?

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4. Jesus Rescues and Restores Psalm 22:22-28 Don’t give up! You, too, can learn to cry out to God in order to find comfort and assurance to face the future with confidence. He will prove himself faithful. The whole gamut of our human experience is found here: desolation, hostility, pain, death, and— yes—restoration. Jesus was tested in every way, just as we are: Hebrews 4:15 – For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. a. God doesn’t rescue everyone from suffering, but he does save all who ask. David was sure that his God would never betray him. Are you? If you believed that truth, how would your life change?

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Jesus can help you move from desolation to restoration. Are you willing to submit your life to him right now?

PRAY Jesus, please take my life and use it for your glory. I know that I am not capable of defeating evil on my own. Forgive me for my pride. I owe all to you. I am yours forever. Amen.

DIG DEEPER For further study this week:  

The Grace of Repentance – a book from Sinclair B. Ferguson Unshakable Hope: Building Our Lives on the Promises of God – a book from Max Lucado

NEXT WEEK’S BIG IDEA Our Advent Series Continues: “Light: Experiencing Christ in the Psalms” Next week’s theme: Jesus would come as Planner and Groom (Psalms 40 and 45)

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