THEME OF THE YEAR: THE YEAR OF THE LORD’S GOODNESS AND ABUNDANCE
TOPIC: OUT OF DEEP DISTRESS (PART 1)
TEXT: PSALM 22:1-30; MATTHEW 27:46-50
Sermon Preached by Rev. Bonface Nyangolo on 11th September
2022
I. Introduction
This Psalm is written out of an experience of great suffering and deep distress. The opening words of this Psalm (“My God my God, why have you forsaken me”) were on the lips of Jesus (Matthew 27:46-50) on the cross. In this Psalm we can also see what Jesus suffered from and how he suffered in the hands of wicked men. This Psalm is a prophesy of the suffering Christ.
II. What the Psalmist suffered from.
In this Psalm we see quite a number of troubles that the Psalmist went
through. He suffered from the following:
1. He was despised by other people, so that he felt like a worm rather than a human being (22:6). People laughed at him for his trust in God when it seemed that God did not deliver him out of his troubles (22:7-8).
2. He had enemies who were like the strong bulls that came from Bashan (22:12), like Lions (22:13, 21), or like dogs in their attacks on him (22:16, 20). Those enemies were a band of evil men who had surrounded him and oppressed him (22:16).
3. He suffered great weakness and pain so that all his bones seemed out of joint, his mouth dried up, perhaps with fever. He felt death was near (22:14-15). His enemies thinking that too, divided his clothes among them (22:18).
4. It seemed that God had forsaken him, remaining silent when the Psalmist called on Him in prayer (22:1, 11). Even though God seemed far away from the Psalmist, he persisted in prayer. He still remembered that God was “Enthroned as the Holy One and that He is the praise of Israel” (22:3).
The Psalmist new that God had watched him from birth and that He was not going to abandon him. The Bible records “Be strong and courageous. Do not fear, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you” (Deuteronomy 31:6ff)
III. Practical steps to apply in life whenever you are in distress
1. In your distress continue calling upon God for deliverance
2. If you feel forsaken continue trusting God (22:1-5)
3. In your suffering please endure and know that He is still
God and He loves you with a great love (22:6-11)
IV. CONCLUSION
Children of God, we have seen from the Bible that God delivered many people from their distress and trouble. Among them include
Daniel, Shadrack, Meshack and Abednego, Joseph, the Israelites when David fought Goliath and many more. God is still a deliverer.
We have also seen God answering prayers, the prayer of Hannah was answered, and the prayer of David was answered. The disciples’ prayers were answered and many others. In Hebrews 13:5 we learn that God will not forsake us neither will He leave us. Cheer
up child of God. God will deliver you out of your troubles; He will answer your prayers and come to your rescue whenever you call on
Him. God loves you with an immeasurable love. Amen