Forty Days in the PsalmsНамуна

When I (Shawn) moved to rural Louisiana, I was bullied for being an outsider from the city. Recess was a dreaded time as my third-grade enemies targeted me. Though I survived without broken bones, I learned the harsh reality of bullying.

David, too, faced relentless bullying from King Saul, who saw him as a threat to his throne. Despite being anointed by God and having defeated Goliath, David wasn't immune to the anxiety caused by his pursuers. He felt forsaken by God (v.1), mocked (v.7), and surrounded by enemies (v.12, 16), leading to a loss of appetite (v.17).

Suffering is a part of life, often marked by evil. This raises the question: Why is there suffering if there is a God? Scholars call this Theodicy or the problem of evil. Books like Job explore this, offering some comfort despite unanswered questions.

Psalm 22 helped Jesus in His Suffering. He likely knew it by heart, crying out, "My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?" (Mark 15:34) on the Cross. Jesus identified with David's words, experiencing mockery, thirst, and pierced hands and feet (Psalm 22:16, 18).

How does this help us? When we suffer, we come to the Cross and see a God who identifies with us. No other god can claim to have experienced the worst of human hatred and satanic evil, feeling forsaken and dying alone. On the Cross, we see a Suffering God who bleeds and weeps. This doesn't answer all our questions about evil and suffering, but it shows us that God is with us in our pain.

RESPOND IN PRAYER:

"Father, what a privilege to come to a God who knows suffering! Your Son experienced rejection, hatred, and the worst of evil. In Christ, I know a God who weeps and bleeds. There is none like You! You delivered Him from death, and You will deliver me. My eternal gratitude is not enough to say thank You. Amen!"