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Psalm 22-26<\/strong><\/span> Psalm 22 is an amazing Psalm!\u00a0 This Psalm is the most quoted Psalm in the New Testament.\u00a0 Re-read this Psalm again and see if you see parallels to Jesus\u2019 crucifixion?\u00a0 There are a lot in this Psalm.\u00a0 \u00a0I\u2019ll list a few \u2013 Psalm 22:1a was quoted by Jesus on the cross \u2013 \u201cMy God, my God! Why have you forsaken me?\u201d<\/em>\u00a0 As we see in Matthew 27:46 \u2013 \u201cAbout the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, \u201cEloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?\u201d\u2013which means, \u201cMy God, my God, why have you forsaken me?\u201d<\/em>\u00a0 <\/span> Psalm 22 Verse 8: \u201c\u201dIs this the one who relies on the LORD? Then let the LORD save him! If the LORD loves him so much, let the LORD rescue him!\u201d\u201d<\/em> We see in similar fashion in Matthew 27:42-43: \u201c\u201cHe saved others,\u201d they said, \u201cbut he can\u2019t save himself! He\u2019s the King of Israel! Let him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in him. He trusts in God. Let God rescue him now if he wants him, for he said, \u2018I am the Son of God.\u2019 \u201d<\/em><\/span> Psalm 22 verses 16 & 17 make me want to cry\u2026 \u201cThey have pierced my hands and feet. I can count every bone in my body.\u201d<\/em> The piercing of the hands and feet of Jesus are apparent with how the crucifixion took place.\u00a0 And these Psalm 22 verses are similar to John 19:33-37: \u201cBut when they came to Jesus and found that he was already dead, they did not break his legs. Instead, one of the soldiers pierced Jesus\u2019 side with a spear, bringing a sudden flow of blood and water. The man who saw it has given testimony, and his testimony is true. He knows that he tells the truth, and he testifies so that you also may believe. These things happened so that the scripture would be fulfilled: \u201cNot one of his bones will be broken,\u201d and, as another scripture says, \u201cThey will look on the one they have pierced.\u201d\u201d<\/em><\/span> And Psalm 22 verse 18: \u201cThey divide my clothes among themselves and throw dice for my garments.\u201d<\/em> Compare to John 19:23-24 \u2013 \u201cWhen the soldiers crucified Jesus, they took his clothes, dividing them into four shares, one for each of them, with the undergarment remaining. This garment was seamless, woven in one piece from top to bottom. \u201cLet\u2019s not tear it,\u201d they said to one another. \u201cLet\u2019s decide by lot who will get it.\u201d\u201d<\/em><\/span> What\u2019s one good reason to go to church at all?\u00a0 Check out Psalm 22 verse 22: \u201cThen I will declare the wonder of your name to my brothers and sisters. I will praise you among all your people.\u201d <\/em>Praising God with other brothers and sisters through worship, tithing, learning, serving and being in community in church is a great reason to go to church!\u00a0 To declare the wonder of God\u2019s name!\u00a0 To praise God among all his people.\u00a0 Wow\u2026 yes\u2026\u00a0 this is church!<\/span> Psalm 23!\u00a0 What a Psalm!!\u00a0 This is the first Psalm for sure that I ever really read and was comforted by without a doubt.\u00a0 Psalm 23 is a profession of joyful trust in God as the good Shepherd-King by David.\u00a0 I like The Message\u2019s take on Psalm 23 <\/span>at this link<\/span>.\u00a0 Bible.org has a wonderful commentary on Psalm 23 titled \u201cA Psalm that calms the soul\u201d<\/strong> <\/span>at this link<\/span>.\u00a0 <\/span> Psalm 24 is a beautiful Psalm!\u00a0 Check out this brief snippet of commentary on this Psalm from bible.org: \u201cThe Israelites have returned from a battle with the Canaanites. They are proceeding up to the sanctuary on the holy mount to give praise to Yahweh for the great and mighty victory in battle, carrying with them the Ark of the Covenant, the symbol of Yahweh\u2019s presence with them. As they approach the gate, they are met by the Levites who function as gatekeepers. It is their part to ask who may enter the sanctuary of the Lord; and it is the priests\u2019 part to answer with the stipulations from the Law. Whoever meets these qualifications may enter and fellowship with Yahweh\u2026 The psalm then concludes with the worshipers calling to the gates to make way for Yahweh to come in to His sanctuary, for why should the King of Glory stoop to go under a doorway? \u201c<\/span>.\u00a0 (also, any Chris Tomlin fans out there will definitely recognize this Psalm \u2013 on his CD \u201cArriving\u201d I think the 2nd or 3rd to last song is called \u201cKing of Glory\u201d based on this Psalm \u2013 it\u2019s the best song on this overall fantastic CD in my humble opinion! \ud83d\ude42<\/span> Psalm 25 has some amazing verses today!\u00a0 I think I could write some reflections and questions on each of the verses today\u2026\u00a0 Maybe a good thing for each of us to do is to re-read this Psalm today and really reflect on what the verses are saying to our hearts.\u00a0 David wrote this Psalm as a prayer for God\u2019s mercies when he was suffering affliction for his sins and when enemies were seizing this occasion to attack him.\u00a0 It\u2019s a very penitential Psalm.\u00a0 One that we might need to pray to God from time to time as David did. I do like verse 5 a lot and I believe it will speak to each of you going through the Bible this year \u2013 \u201cLead me by your truth and teach me, for you are the God who saves me. All day long I put my hope in you.\u201d<\/em>\u00a0 Do you believe that reading God\u2019s Word each day is allowing you to be led by God\u2019s truth?\u00a0 Are you being taught each day?\u00a0 Then \u2013 that last sentence in verse 5 is amazing.\u00a0 I cannot honestly say that all day long I put my hope in God.\u00a0 I pray that I do\u2026 but I think sometimes I drift away from putting my hope in God and I put my hope in myself \u2013 or maybe even sometimes I lose hope!\u00a0 I get discouraged about a situation.\u00a0 I get stressed.\u00a0 I worry. If we put our hope all day long in God, do you think we would get discouraged, stressed, or worried?\u00a0 I don\u2019t think we would\u2026<\/span> Psalm 25 verse 15 really stood out to me today \u2013 \u201cMy eyes are always looking to the LORD for help, for he alone can rescue me from the traps of my enemies.\u201d<\/em>\u00a0 I have come to realize more and more lately that the Enemy is indeed constantly setting traps for us.\u00a0 I don\u2019t mean to scare anyone here \u2013 but I think this is something very important for us to realize.\u00a0 It has been said that the greatest trick the Devil can play on us is to make us think that he does not exist.\u00a0 If we don\u2019t think the Devil exists, then we logically won\u2019t think that he\u2019s setting any traps for us.\u00a0 Let me assure you \u2013 this is clearly Biblical \u2013 the Devil exists.\u00a0 Evil exists in this world.\u00a0 Temptation exists.\u00a0 And evil does not rest.\u00a0 However \u2013 the good news \u2013 God is so much bigger and stronger and brighter (and this list can go on) than the Devil \u2013 the Enemy.\u00a0 David says in this Psalm that his eyes are ALWAYS looking to the Lord for help.\u00a0 Why?\u00a0 Because God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit alone can rescue us from the traps of the Enemy.\u00a0 Again, the traps are out there for us in this modern world.\u00a0 The temptations and dark alleys and wrong turns call to us unceasingly.\u00a0 But \u2013 again, great news here \u2013 we can be saved from all of that nonsense; all of that darkness; indeed all of that death, through a relationship with Jesus.\u00a0 Jesus saves.\u00a0 Jesus saves us from ourselves.\u00a0 From our sin.\u00a0 And from the Enemy that sets traps for us.\u00a0 Like David in this Psalm, are your eyes always looking to the Lord for help?\u00a0 Please don\u2019t ever take your eyes off God and His mercies, power, and strength.<\/span> Psalm 25 verse 22 really stood out to me today: \u201cO God, ransom Israel from all its troubles.\u201d<\/em>\u00a0 As I read this, the Christmas carol, \u201cO Come O Come Emmanuel, and ransom captive Israel\u201d comes to my mind.\u00a0 Indeed, God would answer this prayer of King David\u2019s and send his Son to ransom Israel!<\/span> Today in Psalm 26 verse 2 we read: \u201cPut me on trial, LORD, and cross-examine me. Test my motives and affections.\u201d<\/em> What a powerful reflection from David \u2013 God, test my motives and affections.\u00a0 What are your motives?\u00a0 Why do you do what you do in life?\u00a0 Whom are you doing it all for?\u00a0 What are your affections?\u00a0 Who do you pledge your loyalties to?\u00a0 Who do you give your heart to?\u00a0 Where are you investing your time, treasure and talents?\u00a0 \u00a0Have you ever asked God to test your motives and affections?<\/span> Verse 8 of this Psalm reminds me of my church and I pray it reminds you of your church as well: \u201cI love your sanctuary, LORD, the place where your glory shines.\u201d<\/em>\u00a0 Wow\u2026 the place where God\u2019s glory shines!\u00a0 Yes, I do believe this happens in our churches \u2013 even if we maybe don\u2019t notice it sometimes.\u00a0 When we come together as the body of Christ each week, God\u2019s glory shines! Will you take a moment to really pay attention to God\u2019s glory shining in your church as you attend a service this upcoming weekend?<\/span> Worship Video:<\/strong>\u00a0 Have you seen the video yet of a young princess (see her T-shirt \ud83d\ude42 reciting Psalm 23??\u00a0 This is a must see.\u00a0 I pray this inspires you to memorize and meditate upon Scripture!<\/span><\/p>\n \n
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