Rejoice In Our Salvation
BRD REFLECTIONS
Jeremiah 17 and Psalm 22 (NIV)
(Frances Lim, Zone 11 Leader, Small Group Ministry)
READ:
Jeremiah 17 and Psalm 22 (NIV)
OBSERVE:
The message of Jeremiah is at first glance, similar to Romans. God’s children have sinned against Him and are not worthy of the glory of God. He has every right to be angry and punish his wayward people. In Jeremiah 17 we read that because of wickedness the Israelites will lose their inheritance; they will be enslaved to their enemies in a foreign land and God’s anger will burn forever (v4). But hallelujah!! In Romans we read that therefore, since we have been justified by faith we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. (Romans 5:1-2).
We have so much to be grateful for! Jesus has paid the price and we have been let off the hook. We do not have to face the terrible consequences of our evil ways. Lest we think it was easy to obtain this mercy and grace, let us look at the words of Psalm 22.
V1 – My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, so far from my cries of anguish? V6 – But I am a worm and not a man, scorned by everyone, despised by the people.
V14-15 – I am poured out like water and all my bones are out of joint. My heart has turned to wax; it has melted within me. My mouth is dried up like a potsherd and my tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth; you lay me in the dust of death.
APPLY:
Psalm 22 was written by David and is very prophetic. It looks ahead to Jesus being crucified and is remarkably accurate in describing how Jesus must have felt as he hung on the cross suffering and dying for the sin of the world.
Jesus felt forsaken by his father for the first time in his life. God was pouring out that anger mentioned in Jeremiah 17 upon his sinless son. Jesus was in anguish and felt utterly deserted by his father.
He felt like the smallest and weakest of all creatures, a worm! He felt completely empty. He was suffering, he had no strength, every part of his body was in agony. And he did it all for me! He was not forced to suffer like that… he chose to suffer to save all of us from the eternal anger of God!
DO:
What is my reasonable response to this? It’s good to meditate on Psalm 22 and be reminded that because Jesus died, I do not have to face the consequences of the wrath of God like the Israelites did in the time of Jeremiah. I will be grateful for the grace that surrounds me and realise how blessed I am! I will recall the 5 areas of grace as preached by Rev Benjamin Lau on 7 August and be thankful! These areas were grace of the peace of God; grace of access to God’s presence; grace of growing in Christian Character; grace of God’s love within me; and grace of reconciliation with God. I will try to share this wonderful good news with others!
PRAY:
Dear Abba Father, I am as sinful as the people in the time of Jeremiah and most of the time I don’t humble myself before you and acknowledge this. Please help me to be aware of my salvation and be grateful! Help me to live each day trusting in your care and provision. Help me to find the right opportunity to share this with others who need your hope. Blessed indeed is the man that trusts in the Lord! He will be like a tree planted by a stream that never withers and always bears fruit. Even when bad things happen and drought comes this man will not be afraid. (Jeremiah 17:8 paraphrased). Let me be that person with the help of the Holy Spirit! In Jesus’ name. Amen.
