We are taking a break from the series Israel: “God's timepiece”, in order to do a series of Easter messages entitled: “The Power of “But.”
“But” is a conjunction in grammar terms. It's an interesting word that connects 2 thoughts or two different ideas…it's an escape clause – it sometimes brings disappointment – but…very often the word “but” brings hope from despair; it brings positivity from negative circumstances. I once was lost - BUT now I'm found!…
I'm looking at this series from Psalm 22 which is a remarkable Psalm written by David. It's a dreadful time for David - it's a dark time - and he cries out to God a number of times; Lord, why have you left me… why have you deserted me? Why have you forsaken me? All of Psalm 22 is a prophetic glimpse of what will happen a thousand years later when Christ comes to earth and dies on the cross. As a matter of fact when you read Psalm 22 some of the phrases that are spoken by David over his life, overlap with prophetic words which Jesus speaks as well - who is the son of David.
Psalm 22:1 My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me? Why are You so far from helping Me, And from the words of My groaning? 2 O My God, I cry in the daytime, but You do not hear; And in the night season, and am not silent. 3 But You are holy, enthroned in the praises of Israel.4 Our fathers trusted in You; they trusted, and You delivered them. 5 They cried to You, and were delivered; they trusted in You, and were not ashamed.
You can sense the hopelessness, the despair of David as he writes these first few verses; they're oozing with pain from a heart that is crushed and feels like it cannot go on. Let's break it down for you first of all - the Human Condition…
1.Forsaken by God Ps.22 :1 My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?
2. God Can't Help Me Ps.22:1b ..Why are You so far from helping Me, And from the words of My groaning?
3. God is not Listening Ps.22:2 O My God, I cry in the daytime, but You do not hear….
So that is the assumed physical reality - “But” - Now it's time to speak spiritual reality over the situation.
Psalm 22: 3 But You are holy…
You are Holy O Lord. To be holy is to be sanctified, to set apart…Father, I set you apart as righteous, as just and in spite of the fact that I can't seem to see your deliverance, I know that the judge of all the earth will do right.
You may be walking through a dark season, it may seem that you are all alone and that God cannot help you but do not be dismayed…He is with you all the way through this journey and He will help you… you may be persecuted but you are not forsaken…He says:” I will never leave you or forsake you.”
Join us in person on Sunday at 10:00 a.m. or via livestream by going to https://www.firstbaptistsudbury.com and clicking on livestream for “Persecuted; But Not Forsaken.”
Blessings,
Kevin
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