Psalms Streak: A Daily Devotional in the PsalmsSample

The Turning Point

We’ve reached a kind of gem among the Psalms! We are going to approach our devotional a little differently today, so go ahead and read the Psalm, and then jump back into the devotional.

So, now that you’ve read the Psalm, who do you think this was written about?
Psalm 22 was written by David a thousand years before Jesus’ crucifixion. In this one Psalm, there are 33 prophecies hidden, which later unfolded when Jesus was on the cross. Isn’t that amazing? If we fast forward 1000 years, Jesus quotes this Psalm while in the valley of the shadow of death. When He was facing literal death, what overflowed from Him was the Word of God. He was even able to say, “It is done. It is finished.” He knew that He had fulfilled the purpose of His life on earth.
It’s a pretty low and dark psalm, but it has a turning point in the middle. This psalm doesn’t stay dark - it’s moving us somewhere. Read verses 16-19 again:

“Dogs surround me, a pack of villains encircles me; they pierce[d] my hands and my feet.
All my bones are on display; people stare and gloat over me.
They divide my clothes among them and cast lots for my garment.
But you, Lord, do not be far from me. You are my strength; come quickly to help
me.” (v. 16-19)

Where does the focus shift in verse 19? Where was the focus? The focus turns from people and onto God.

GO DEEP: Take a minute to ask the Father for His perspective - ask Him if there are areas in your life where your focus is on people instead of Him - areas where you are looking at a situation instead of at Him.

BE BOLD: Who needs to hear this? Who could you share it with?