Food for Thought by David Jackson

When we realize God’s care for us—worship! (Psalm 22:25-31)

Dealing with times of suffering is never pleasant, but then all of life cannot be only success with never any disappointments. The truth is that our experiences of struggle and discomfort help us to appreciate times of blessing even more. The only way we grow stronger is by pushing through the tough events in life. On a spiritual level, Psalm 22 helps us keep things in perspective.

In a vintage Charlie Brown comic strip, Lucy complains, “Sometimes I get discouraged.” 

Charlie responds, “Well, Lucy, life does have its ups and downs, you know…”

Lucy interrupts him: “But why? Why should it?! Why can’t my life be all ‘ups’? If I want all ‘ups,’ why can’t I have them? Why can’t I just move from one ‘up’ to another ‘up’? Why can’t I just go from an ‘up’ to an ‘upper-up’?” Finally, she yells, “I DON’T WANT ANY ‘DOWNS’! I JUST WANT ‘UPS’ AND ‘UPS’ AND ‘UPS’!”  

The conversation ends with an exasperated Charlie moaning, “I can’t stand it…”

As I count it, the sufferer of Psalm 22 has gone through the “downs” and the “ups” three times before we get to the conclusion (vv. 25-31). He feels forsaken (1-2), and he praises God as the one who responded in history (3-5). Then, when he looks at his own life, he feels too insignificant to merit God’s attention, and everyone around him agrees (6-8). 

But he remembers the truth about God, that his power has been present throughout life, from birth till now. Without him, “there is no one to help” (9-11). Still, everywhere he turns, suffering awaits in various forms, all of them involving negative feelings (12-18). With a final appeal, he turns to God for deliverance (19-24).

This final section is filled with praise for the mighty intervention that God gives, “For he has not despised or disdained the suffering of the afflicted one.” The words that follow recognize not only the personal relief that accompanies faith, but that “all families of the nations” benefit from God’s grace. 

Worship is the one response that we as redeemed sufferers can offer him. Even future generations will praise him when they see how he has always responded to the struggles of those of us who live now. The “people yet unborn” will be strengthened in their faith as they remember the way we have persevered through tough times because of our trust in God.

Remember that great truth when times are tough. Encourage others when they are suffering, especially now when there is so much emphasis on celebration. By means of our faithfully clinging to hope when we are in the depths, we become a source of encouragement to others, even to “a people yet unborn,” and including those who are sad at Christmas.

At this time of year, with so many things to be thankful for, during celebrations with family and friends, remember to thank him for his abiding presence, even when we feel that he is far off. He never is far away: “He has not hidden his face…but has listened to [our] cry for help.”