Psalm 22:1-31

19 But you, O Lord, do not be far off!
O you my help, come quickly to my aid!

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Psalms is not typically the Scripture that we head to when we think of Christmas. This particular Psalm is written by David either when he was in exile from King Saul or when his son Absalom tried to wrest the kingdom from David. The imagery here is of one in despair who feels as if God has abandoned him. Yet like many Old Testament prophecies, this Psalm finds its fruition in the person and work of Jesus Christ.

God has a plan! Sometimes when we feel as if the night cannot get any darker, when we cannot tell where our help will come from, we forget this amazing truth. The birth of the baby in the manger was God’s plan conceived from the beginning of time to redeem humankind. And that plan does not stop with the birth or death of that baby but reaches down to touch us today if we let it.

This Psalm not only reminds us that God has a plan but it also reminds us that we have a great high priest in the person of Jesus Christ. A high priest who can sympathize with us in our temptations and our weakness. He suffered for man’s redemption and he understands human suffering — our suffering. His own creation turned against Him and yet He did not turn away from us.

So when you read Psalm 22, take heart. God is with us and for us. He has not forgotten or forsaken us. When the night feels dark, He is there. When you feel surrounded, He is there. May we, like King David, choose praise over despair. May we worship the baby who became the lamb as we trust in His plan.

– Mrs. Eliza Sanders