"Our fathers trusted in thee: they trusted, and thou didst deliver them. They cried unto thee, and were delivered: they trusted in thee, and were not confounded. But I am a worm, and no man; a reproach of men, and despised of the people." [Psa 22:4-6]
There is not a saint of God, whether great or small, male or female, bond or free, who, though they may be mightily used of God, who is flawless. Whether we speak of David, or Noah; of Moses, or Jacob; of Sarah, or Rahab – every saint of God, old and new alike, have one common thread: sin. We have all sinned; yes, and still do sin. And to this, scripture bluntly agrees, proclaiming, “for all have sinned, and are falling short of the glory of God.” [Rom 3:23] The glory of God: it is not just that we have in the past fallen short; no, but all of us alike are presently falling short.
It can be tempting to look at the Old Testament saints of old, or even of someone presently whom God appears to be using, and assume that they have earned such a degree of favor. That because of their goodness, they have earned God’s trust and that is why He uses them. Or, the temptation easily comes to assume that they always have more victory and are more spiritual. But as James reminds us regarding Elijah –
“Elijah was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and sixth months.” [Jam 5:17]
As great of a man that Elijah was, he was a man subject to the same flesh as we: and a man who fell to that flesh likewise. Paul says a similar thing to those who would think him above what is written: “sirs, why do ye these things? We also are men of like passions with you…” [Acts 14:15] Peter says that we are those who have “obtained faith equal in privilege with us through the righteousness of God and our Savior Jesus Christ.” [2 Pe 1:1] The faith that we have, or Paul had, or Elijah, or any other saint, is always the same. We have a faith equal in privilege. Because we have all acquired our faith by Jesus Christ and Him alone. One cannot boast that they have tried harder or had been more worthy of salvation. No one can rightfully boast that they yearned and strove more for salvation and so theirs is harder-won or more worthy of attention, favor, or glory. No, in no wise, for it is written, “for by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast.” [Eph 2:8-9]
But even though we have all sinned – from the highest saint to the lowest – yet, God still chooses to love us, bless us, and save us. Yes, many-a-time when we have been in trouble, our God has gladly delivered us. Again, and again, He seeks to give us victory, help us, deliver us, and many other things. The LORD promises, “call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me.” [Psa 50:15] And again, because the righteousness of God has been imputed to us through Christ, we can claim the promise, “the righteous cry, and The LORD heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles.” [Psa 34:17]
There is, however, one who never did sin: Jesus Christ. It is He in whom our righteousness is based. And yet, for all His righteousness and goodness, for all His flawless living, in His greatest hour of temptation and need, He was forsaken of God; as it is written, “my God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?” [Psa 22:1] With these things in mind, let us read again what Christ uttered through the prophet in our passage for today,
“Our fathers trusted in thee: they trusted, and thou didst deliver them. They cried unto thee, and were delivered…but I am a worm, and no man…” [Psa 22:4-6]
If there was ever a man who could lay full right to the promises of deliverance, it was Jesus. After all, the promise is given to the righteous and He is the only one to ever be righteous. If there was ever a man who deserved and earned God’s love, favor, and salvation: it was Christ. And yet, in His greatest trial upon the cross, He found no deliverance. Though He were righteous, yet upon the cross Jesus could not find fulfilment for the promise, “many are the afflictions of the righteous: but The LORD delivereth him out of them all.” [Psa 34:19] And yet, though Jesus was not delivered, yet those sinful saints of old were. David who murdered; Noah who was drunken; Jacob who connived; kings who dabbled in women and idolatry – each of them, without fail, if they called upon The LORD and at least sought Him in some manner by faith, were delivered. But Christ, The Righteous One, was not delivered.
In this truth we can find great encouragement. First, for it is because Jesus was forsaken in such a manner that we can lay hold of salvation. Our assurance of salvation and help rests upon this very act: Jesus’ death and subsequent resurrection. And second, because it shows us the great love, mercy, and grace of God and of Jesus, who would willingly empty and lower Himself to such a position so that we might benefit from His forsaking. So that we might lay hold on these glorious promises and find deliverance in our time of need, Jesus, who knew no sin, willingly suffered, being made into sin for us. [2 Cor 5:21] His blood has secured for us these things, and we can freely and joyfully come to Him, assured of His mercy. [Isa 55:3] May Jesus be praised for this, who saw us as a joy; [Heb 12:2] who saw us as worthy – not for our works but simply because of His love – and suffered in our place.
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