Another Interesting Parallel

As I listened to today's podcast from the Daily Audio Bible, this section of verses in the book of Psalm caught my attention. Although not exactly the same situation, I couldn't help but compare David's experience with that of Jesus' on the cross. While not in the same league of suffering, I thought about Jesus as David poured his heart out in the Old Testament.

Psalm 22:1-18 (New International Version)

1 My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?
Why are you so far from saving me,
so far from my cries of anguish?
2 My God, I cry out by day, but you do not answer,
by night, but I find no rest.

3 Yet you are enthroned as the Holy One;
you are the one Israel praises.
4 In you our ancestors put their trust;
they trusted and you delivered them.
5 To you they cried out and were saved;
in you they trusted and were not put to shame.

6 But I am a worm and not a man,
scorned by everyone, despised by the people.
7 All who see me mock me;
they hurl insults, shaking their heads.
8 “He trusts in the LORD,” they say,
“let the LORD rescue him.
Let him deliver him,
since he delights in him.”

9 Yet you brought me out of the womb;
you made me trust in you, even at my mother’s breast.
10 From birth I was cast on you;
from my mother’s womb you have been my God.

11 Do not be far from me,
for trouble is near
and there is no one to help.

12 Many bulls surround me;
strong bulls of Bashan encircle me.
13 Roaring lions that tear their prey
open their mouths wide against me.
14 I am poured out like water,
and all my bones are out of joint.
My heart has turned to wax;
it has melted within me.
15 My mouth is dried up like a potsherd,
and my tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth;
you lay me in the dust of death.

16 Dogs surround me,
a pack of villains encircles me;
they pierce my hands and my feet.
17 All my bones are on display;
people stare and gloat over me.
18 They divide my clothes among them
and cast lots for my garment.

Sometimes, we'll find ourselves suffering and seemingly all alone. Not every life experience will be a mountaintop event, and you can't always feel the presence of God. However, when times are tough, it's important to stand firm and not lose faith in the fact that the Lord is always with us, and is fighting on our behalf. The victory isn't always accomplished on our time table- but it is coming. Sometimes, you're bruised and battered in the process of waiting on the Lord. Persist. It's worth it.

Good Night