The Suffering Shepherd
THE SUFFERING SHEPHERD
Join your Calvary Chapel family on Sunday, March 22, at 10:00 a.m. in the main sanctuary or online through our website (www.calvaryinv.com), Facebook, and YouTube (Calvary Inverness). We will come together to exalt Jesus, build each other up in love, and be equipped to share the gospel as we continue a three-week in-depth study of Psalm 22:12-21.
Pain. Agony. Anguish of the soul. David frantically tried to understand why God had forsaken him to his enemies, and he also faced unbearable pain. Every joint ached, and his clothes hung from his emaciated body due to hunger and thirst.
Sitting in a cave, penning the words before us, his journaling, which would become a song for Israel and the early church to sing when they gathered to worship God. His mind raced. His hand was cramping with searing pain from dehydration, making it difficult to keep up.
Yet, there was something comforting to his troubled soul in putting his thoughts into writing. He sensed God’s presence, which had been with him when he defended his flock against a lion and, at another time, a bear. But the moment David remembered most was when he, on behalf of Israel, ran to battle the giant from Gath, Goliath.
Now, even though he felt God's presence, it was only a brief moment. His memories of God’s past faithfulness had faded with each passing day. Hiding in a cave from his father-in-law, King Saul, all he could remember was those he once led into battle for. God’s glory, and Israel had become his enemies.
No matter how he tried to shake off the increasingly toxic thoughts, he was unsuccessful. Why did his friends turn on him? Why was Saul so full of rage against him? Why did his wife not stay at his side? On and on the thoughts raced through his mind like a hot knife through butter.
David believed that due to his present condition, he lay at death’s door. He had a grasp of the resurrection of the righteous dead and of spending eternity with God, but he was not himself. It was difficult for him to discern what was true and what was a lie.
Yet, he continued to compose his song. Even through the searing pain and throbbing of his head, he knew he had a mission. This, David, understood. He was a soldier. He followed orders. The Holy Spirit, even though David didn’t recognize His presence, was guiding his hand and inspiring his heart to write a song that would be passed down through the generations to the church of today.
A song to be sung, memorized, and shared with others, this Psalm acts as a vivid reminder that God is especially present with those who are suffering.
David rehearsed the words he had in his mind and wrote them down without realizing that the early church, facing many trials and hardships, would find great comfort in them. He composed this worship song as a prophecy, containing various intricate details that would be fulfilled over a thousand years later through the life, ministry, trials, scourging, death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth. He wrote about the emotions, despair, and desperate cries for help during Jesus of Nazareth's crucifixion. Suffering, which would lead to the redemption of all who trust in Him from the tyranny of sin and death.
My prayer is that, as our church family reads this psalm, we will observe how David remained steadfast in his trust in God, regardless of what he faced. Also, how his suffering foreshadowed what Jesus would endure, so that we, who were sinners in need of a Savior, could be forgiven and become a new creation.
In His strong love, Pastor
Join your Calvary Chapel family on Sunday, March 22, at 10:00 a.m. in the main sanctuary or online through our website (www.calvaryinv.com), Facebook, and YouTube (Calvary Inverness). We will come together to exalt Jesus, build each other up in love, and be equipped to share the gospel as we continue a three-week in-depth study of Psalm 22:12-21.
Pain. Agony. Anguish of the soul. David frantically tried to understand why God had forsaken him to his enemies, and he also faced unbearable pain. Every joint ached, and his clothes hung from his emaciated body due to hunger and thirst.
Sitting in a cave, penning the words before us, his journaling, which would become a song for Israel and the early church to sing when they gathered to worship God. His mind raced. His hand was cramping with searing pain from dehydration, making it difficult to keep up.
Yet, there was something comforting to his troubled soul in putting his thoughts into writing. He sensed God’s presence, which had been with him when he defended his flock against a lion and, at another time, a bear. But the moment David remembered most was when he, on behalf of Israel, ran to battle the giant from Gath, Goliath.
Now, even though he felt God's presence, it was only a brief moment. His memories of God’s past faithfulness had faded with each passing day. Hiding in a cave from his father-in-law, King Saul, all he could remember was those he once led into battle for. God’s glory, and Israel had become his enemies.
No matter how he tried to shake off the increasingly toxic thoughts, he was unsuccessful. Why did his friends turn on him? Why was Saul so full of rage against him? Why did his wife not stay at his side? On and on the thoughts raced through his mind like a hot knife through butter.
David believed that due to his present condition, he lay at death’s door. He had a grasp of the resurrection of the righteous dead and of spending eternity with God, but he was not himself. It was difficult for him to discern what was true and what was a lie.
Yet, he continued to compose his song. Even through the searing pain and throbbing of his head, he knew he had a mission. This, David, understood. He was a soldier. He followed orders. The Holy Spirit, even though David didn’t recognize His presence, was guiding his hand and inspiring his heart to write a song that would be passed down through the generations to the church of today.
A song to be sung, memorized, and shared with others, this Psalm acts as a vivid reminder that God is especially present with those who are suffering.
David rehearsed the words he had in his mind and wrote them down without realizing that the early church, facing many trials and hardships, would find great comfort in them. He composed this worship song as a prophecy, containing various intricate details that would be fulfilled over a thousand years later through the life, ministry, trials, scourging, death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth. He wrote about the emotions, despair, and desperate cries for help during Jesus of Nazareth's crucifixion. Suffering, which would lead to the redemption of all who trust in Him from the tyranny of sin and death.
My prayer is that, as our church family reads this psalm, we will observe how David remained steadfast in his trust in God, regardless of what he faced. Also, how his suffering foreshadowed what Jesus would endure, so that we, who were sinners in need of a Savior, could be forgiven and become a new creation.
In His strong love, Pastor
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