Lovins examines Psalm 22 as a meditation on faith amid despair, demonstrating how David's lament—marked by vivid descriptions of abandonment, physical agony, and spiritual isolation—ultimately culminates in confident trust in God's sovereignty and deliverance. The author emphasizes that Christ's quotation of this psalm on the cross ("My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?") connects the psalmist's suffering to redemptive history, revealing that even in the darkest circumstances, believers can anchor themselves in God's character and control. For those facing present trials—whether financial hardship, loss, illness, or death—Lovins argues that divine providence ensures suffering serves God's purposes and that believers experience genuine strength and victory through intimate communion with their unchanging God.
What does the Bible say about despair?
The Bible acknowledges despair as a common human experience, yet emphasizes God's continual presence and faithfulness, even in our darkest moments.
Moreover, Jesus quotes this Psalm while on the cross, highlighting that He, too, experienced despair and abandonment for our sake. This connection reinforces the idea that while despair is painful and often overwhelming, it does not mean that God is absent. In fact, God's presence is most profoundly felt when we cry out to Him, as He promises to be our refuge and strength in times of trouble.
Psalm 22, Matthew 27:46
How do we know God's sovereignty is true?
God's sovereignty is affirmed throughout Scripture, revealing His rule and control over all creation, including human affairs and even our suffering.
Furthermore, the narrative of Christ’s crucifixion exemplifies God’s sovereignty in the face of human sin and suffering. What was intended for evil was transformed into the greatest good through the resurrection. Hence, God's sovereignty is not just a doctrine to be affirmed intellectually; it is a comfort and assurance in life's trials, reminding us that even in despair, God is in control and working out His redemptive plan.
Genesis 1:1, Ephesians 1:11, Romans 8:28
Why is understanding God's presence important for Christians?
Understanding God's presence is crucial as it assures believers that they are never alone, especially in times of trouble and despair.
Additionally, recognizing God's omnipresence assures believers that they can invite Him into every aspect of their lives, cultivating a deepened relationship and reliance on Him. This is echoed in the New Testament, where Jesus promises never to leave nor forsake His followers (Hebrews 13:5). Hence, this understanding shapes how Christians approach challenges, encouraging them to seek God's help and guidance rather than succumb to feelings of isolation and despair.
Psalm 22, Hebrews 13:5
"My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?
Why are you so far from saving me, from the words of my groaning?
O my God, I cry by day, but you do not answer,
and by night, but I find no rest.
Yet you are holy,
enthroned on the praises of Israel.
In you our fathers trusted;
they trusted, and you delivered them.
To you they cried and were rescued;
in you they trusted and were not put to shame.
But I am a worm and not a man,
scorned by mankind and despised by the people.
All who see me mock me;
they make mouths at me; they wag their heads;
“He trusts in the LORD; let him deliver him;
let him rescue him, for he delights in him!”
Yet you are he who took me from the womb;
you made me trust you at my mother’s breasts.
On you was I cast from my birth,
and from my mother’s womb you have been my God.
Be not far from me,
for trouble is near,
and there is none to help.
Many bulls encompass me;
strong bulls of Bashan surround me;
they open wide their mouths at me,
like a ravening and roaring lion.
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;
my strength is dried up like a potsherd,
and my tongue sticks to my jaws;
you lay me in the dust of death.
For dogs encompass me;
a company of evildoers encircles me;
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.
But you, O LORD, do not be far off!
O you my help, come quickly to my aid!
Deliver my soul from the sword,
my precious life from the power of the dog!
Save me from the mouth of the lion!
You have rescued me from the horns of the wild oxen!
I will tell of your name to my brothers;
in the midst of the congregation I will praise youYou who fear the LORD, praise him!
All you offspring of Jacob, glorify him,
and stand in awe of him, all you offspring of Israel!
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.
From you comes my praise in the great congregation;
my vows I will perform before those who fear him.
The afflicted shall eat and be satisfied;
those who seek him shall praise the LORD!
May your hearts live forever!
All the ends of the earth shall remember
and turn to the LORD,
and all the families of the nations
shall worship before you.
For kingship belongs to the LORD,
and he rules over the nations.
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.
Posterity shall serve him;
it shall be told of the Lord to the coming generation;
they shall come and proclaim his righteousness to a people yet unborn,
that he has done it." (Psalm 22)
But I call your attention to the finale of our Psalm. Though David cries out in fear and pain, he does so in faith. He cries out to the Righteous One, the Holy One, his Defender and Redeemer. He abolishes his own fear in the face of the Almighty who stands beside him. Hunger, restlessness, even death itself is nothing in the hands of our God. This is echoed in Christ's usage of the Psalm in His crucifixion. It is the prophetic imagery in David's song, the victorious tones at the close, that the God-man wants to call to our memory.
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