Last week we began a series of Easter messages entitled: “The Power of “But.” “But” is a conjunction that connects 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 – 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. So, we're moving on to versus 6 to 8 of Psalm 22 today and talking about this aspect of being “pressed but not restricted.” In these verses David begins to doubt and he retreats into a negative mentality and his thoughts send him into a spiritual tailspin.
Psalm 22:6 But I am a worm, and no man; A reproach of men, and despised by the people.7 All those who see Me ridicule Me; they shoot out the lip, they shake the head, saying, 8 “He trusted in the Lord, let Him rescue Him; Let Him deliver Him, since He delights in Him!” David has some issues.
Recognition issues - Psalm 22: 6 “But I am a worm, and no man” …
Reproach issues – viewed with disgrace and embarrassment Psalm 22:6b “A reproach of men, and despised by the people.”
Ridicule issues - (scorned and made fun of) Psalm 22:7 All those who see Me ridicule Me; they shoot out the lip, they shake the head….
(Beyond being) Rescued Issues Psalm 22:”7b…they shake the head, saying, 8 “He trusted in the Lord, let Him rescue Him; Let Him deliver Him, since He delights in Him!”
Jesus Himself faced these kinds of issues when He was on the earth. His life parallels David's and the words David pens about himself are prophetic words that are used of Christ as He was crucified.
Matthew 27:42 “He saved others,” they scoffed, “but he can’t save himself! So he is the King of Israel, is he? Let him come down from the cross right now, and we will believe in him! 43 He trusted God, so let God rescue him now if he wants him! For he said, ‘I am the Son of God.’”
Jesus identifies with mankind in terms of being hard pressed on every side - lack of recognition for who He was, treated with reproach, disgrace and embarrassment; ridiculed, mocked and shamed… and it appeared as though no one was there to rescue. “But“…. You may be hard pressed but don’t have to be constrained. The walls may be closing in, in the natural world around, “But” the Lord is bringing you to a better place. Psalm 118: 5 “I called on the Lord in distress; the Lord answered me and set me in a broad place. 6 The Lord is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me?”
A “broad place” is a place of freedom. It's a place where I'm not bound by circumstances, it's a place where the presence of God flows freely, an open space of safety and freedom.
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 “ Pressed – But Not Constrained.”
Blessings,
Kevin
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