WHY?
Today’s Reading: Psalms 21-22
Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion).
The Church of Annunciation in Nazareth is spectacular, and when the light enters through the stained glass, the beauty of man’s expression through sculpting can be seen. Moses had the sculpture of a serpent placed on a pole foreshadowing the fact that Jesus took our sins and sicknesses upon Himself on the Cross (Numbers 21:7-9, also John 3:14,15). Today’s reading, which clearly details the crucifixion of Jesus, was written hundreds of years before the Romans had even devised this specific means of excruciating death.
GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.
Key Verses: Psalm 22:16b-17
They pierced My hands and My feet; I can count all My bones. They look and stare at Me…
In today’s reading, Psalm 21 communicates the joy we experience in the knowledge of God’s strength. When the Apostle Paul was struggling, God said to him, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect (complete) in weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:9a). In Psalm 22 we learn that the Saviour took our weaknesses on Himself so that He may make us strong.
Jesus quoted from Psalm 22 as He suffered on the Cross. He cried out the words given to David as a prophecy of the suffering Messiah, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” (Matthew 27:46 “Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?”). Jesus, in His humanity, asked, “Why?” We are learning the answer to His question as we read God’s Word daily. There are many other references in Psalm 22 to death by crucifixion. Crucifixion was unknown for hundreds of years after David’s time, yet he wrote, “They pierced My hands and feet” (Psalm 22:16b). We read in that Psalm at least eight statements which refer to the words and events spoken and experienced by Jesus on the Cross. A number of New Testament readings illustrate the truth of David’s prophecy. Here’s just one reading for us (John 19:20-24). Compare that with Psalm 22:18, “They divide My garments among them and for My clothing they cast lots.”
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Lord God, You revealed the sufferings of the Messiah King to the shepherd king in advance. I pray that You will reveal to me in a new way the historical fact of the crucifixion of my Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. I humbly bow at the foot of Jesus’ Cross. Lord Jesus, You did this because of Your love for me and for all people throughout all time. I give my life to You as the best way I can express my love to You. As David sang, “A posterity shall serve Him” (22:30), and his last words in Psalm 22, “They will come and declare His righteousness to a people who will be born, that He has done this.” Lord Jesus, here I am. Please help me to declare this fact to everyone who will read and listen. Amen!!!
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
I’m overwhelmed just now as I think of the dozens of places in the Hebrew Scriptures where the sufferings of Jesus are foretold. No one else who ever lived could step into the fulfilment of these prophecies. The first one was written by Moses in Genesis 3:15, where the “Seed of the woman” would be bruised. Throughout all of Holy Scripture, the seed was, without exception, from a man. Isaiah, of the tribe of Judah, wrote hundreds of years before Jesus was born of the virgin, “Therefore, the Lord Himself shall give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel.”
Yours for declaring that “He has done this!”,
David
P.S. I came across a beautiful rendition of the hymn that begins, “Alas, and did my Saviour bleed and did my Sovereign die…” by Isaac Watts. We don’t know David’s melody for “The Deer of the Dawn” to which Psalm 22 was originally sung. Click here for the Sharon Singers and this unique rendition of “At The Cross” with a different melody. Be blessed; meditate on Jesus’ sufferings on our behalf, and share the blessings.
That song was beautifully done but I still prefer the old familiar rendition.There are over 300 prophecies in the old testament that only He could be the subject of…
Have a blessed day.
This was written before I put my name to them or dated them:
Am I worthy
Am I worthy to touch His feet,
Can I ever stand up to greet
He who died upon the cross
Knowing my sins would be His loss.
When I look at the cross I see,
His wounded face looking at me,
But through the pain He grins
With a love that pardons sins.
His crown of thorns I wish to bear
To prove to Him the love I share,
For the love it took to die for us
Is still in need of complete redress.
So when we think we are kings
Remember He of holy things,
Who was so lowly yet most high,
And soon is coming in the sky.
GW(Bill) Marshall/(2011~2012)
Wonderful scripture and commentary today by David. Thank you Doreen, Eleanor M. Irene and Sah for your prayers. Trying the new pill today but am being directed to divine healing as well Doreen. Have some healing scriptures that I am praying. Just because my mother had hbp does not mean that I have to inherit it, amen? because the price has already been paid by our loving Saviour Jesus! So glad that you are well Doreen and that is an inspiration to me. Yes we need to pray for Alex Treback and Ann as well.
Just wondering Ger if you have ever gone to a Natropath and talked with him/her about your BP, I went to one years ago and it was the best thing I did; praying for healing for you Ger always in Jesus Name we Pray amen
Good poem William!
Thank You, Lord, for your love, your truth, your simplicity, and your goodness. Help us to trust in You and worship You in truth. Bless all your workers today, and may all who love You use the gifts You have given joyfully and thankfully. Draw all people everywhere to You, and may Canadians and this country truly turn to You. In Jesus’s name, amen
I am really enjoying seeing the prayers you post Rob. I pray them out loud as I read them. They are making my day. Please continue to post them.
I agree with you, amen.
I pray for you who have asked for it in my prayers.
Tomorrow we will likely be reading with David, Psalm 25. That is my go to chapter of prayer .
I must have told a God 50 times today how good he is and that I love him.
Blessings to all today.
It a good good day.
same here Nan;
I walk around and say “thank you Lord for everything” “thank you Lord for giving me swimming from a broken leg” “thank you Lord for removing smoking and alcohol from me 25 years ago; You did this Lord for me” Thank you Lord for my car which You gave me” Thank you Lord for being able to go swimming, for all the wonderful people I meet at 7/11; “Thank you Lord for looking after my children; You know where they are and I know Lord that You are looking after every need of theirs; and I Thank You Lord for doing that for me, thank you Lord!” “Thank you Lord for our country of Canada and for the leaders; we pray Lord that You would guide them in their daily walk; giving them wisdom and guidance on how to lead this country, Thank you Lord”
“Thank you Lord for this blog and for Nan and many others who post, bless their lives Lord, in Jesus Name we Pray amen
My thoughts,sentiments and prayers. Amen
To Administrators:
I haven’t received daily Scripture since Sept. 15th… a little frustrating when this
keeps happening… is there a problem.
Enjoying Psalms again. So much to feast on.
Still with the Daily Readings with all bloggers. Proving God’s grace, strength and provisions every day. Blessings to All. Just a reminder for those… many all of us – going through trials or difficulties and the twists and turns of life – Isaiah 41:10, 43:1-3…..
HE DID ALL FOR US; THANK YOU JESUS!! AMEN AND amen!!
Administration: the email address “irene @Telus.net”
I do not use that email address
thank You
please pray for Philip; he needs a vehicle, the one he has needs much repair; either the Lord send Philip a financial windfall to fix the vehicle or the Lord sends Philip a newer vehicle, You did this for me Lord, I know You can do this for Philip also; TY Lord heal Sherrie, Jim of all their cancer, give them new bodies, TY Lord,
Lord You know I have the room at the back, please send someone across my path that needs a nice clean place to live, this person must be working,responsible,non smoker/non alcohol/non drugs, no pets, no parties, Thank you Lord in Jesus Name we Pray
Lord we thank You for the rain
We pray that You Lord would look after our children, keep them safe TY Lord amen