Deliverance I read this week that there are...
Deliverance
I read this week that there are sixty-five new massive rollercoasters opening around the world this year. There are already hundreds of breath-taking roller coasters around the globe, and they’ve all been rated by various rollercoaster enthusiasts. The top-rated rollercoaster in the world is reportedly the Kingda Ka at Six Flags in New Jersey. It goes from zero to 138 miles an hour in less than four seconds and has a straight, vertical 90 degree drop. I only know of one rollercoaster more dramatic, and that’s Psalm 22—and the rollercoaster of emotions connected with the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. I describe it as a rollercoaster of emotions because I want you to try to visualize and internalize the ups and downs of that world-changing weekend—the depths of horror and depression and despair; the tinges of excitement as hints and rumors of the resurrection began to appear; and then the massive explosion of joy which is still reverberating through history and is ringing out in millions of hearts today. I’d like to ask you three questions this morning along these lines:
Why Me?
Why? Why me? Why my family? What is the meaning of this suffering?
These are familiar questions which are asked by Christians and non-Christians alike. No one is immune to suffering and adversity. “Man is born unto trouble as the sparks fly upward” (Job 5:7, KJV). There are the pressures of want, need, sorrow, persecution, unpopularity, and loneliness. Some suffer for what they have done; others suffer because of what people do to them. Many suffer because they are victims of circumstances which they cannot control.
And some are willing to suffer for the sake of others!!!!
Still others are willing to die for the sake of others!!!
Jesus says, 'no man takes my life - I lay it down of my own accord.'
Is it alright to ask 'why me'? Especially if you know the answer! Jesus did - Job did! While the question remains unanswered for us - we must say the greatest moments of hope come these in their calamity
Remember Job - sick hoping for death he says,
I know my Redeemer lives and is able to keep that which I have committed unto Him against that day
And as Jesus quotes this first line of Psalm 22 does he have the entire Psalm in mind? Is he thinking of the deliverance that speaks with boldness throughout this Psalm - is it a meditation for him that helps him bear the pain
How do you bear up in painful moments?
Psalm 22
My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?
Why are you so far from saving me, from the words of my groaning?
2 O my God, I cry by day, but you do not answer,
and by night, but I find no rest.
3 Yet you are holy,
enthroned on the praises of Israel.
4 In you our fathers trusted;
they trusted, and you delivered them.
5 To you they cried and were rescued;
in you they trusted and were not put to shame.
Did you notice the double affirmation of God at the beginning of our text - it took me a while to see this -
This Psalm is for the person who is sick to the point of death - who continually affirms his or her God - it is a Psalm of Deliverance
John Paton was a missionary in the New Hebrides Islands. One night hostile natives surrounded the mission station, intent on burning out the Patons and killing them. Paton and his wife prayed during that terror-filled night that God would deliver them. When daylight came they were amazed to see their attackers leave.
A year later, the chief of the tribe was converted to Christ. Remembering what had happened, Paton asked the chief what had kept him from burning down the house and killing them. The chief replied in surprise, “Who were all those men with you there?” Paton knew no men were present—but the chief said he was afraid to attack because he had seen hundreds of big men in shining garments with drawn swords circling the mission station.
Jesus suffers for the sake of all humanity!
"By his stripes we are healed" and I add by his shame we are given glory, and through his anguish we are comforted.
The infinite Grace of God comes to us in moments like these - times when are willing to observe the sufferering of our saviour
And we learn through our troubles:
Malcolm Muggeridge - reporter in the Ukraine - saw the devastation said this,
"Contrary to what might be expected, I look back on experiences that at the time seemed especially desolating and painful with particular satisfaction. Indeed, I can say with complete truthfulness that everything I have learned in my 75 years in this world, everything that has truly enhanced and enlightened my experience, has been through affliction and not through happiness.
Source: Magazine Name, January 1, 2006