“For he has not despised or abhorred the affliction of the afflicted, and he has not hidden his face from him, but has heard, when he cried to him.” – Psalm 22:24
Scripture reading: Isaiah 53:4-9
We have seen that it’s amongst the congregation that the suffering Servant gives thanks. Now verse 24 draws us back into the reason why, and that’s why we see the suffering Servant’s vow has been fulfilled. And what a verse this is! It is the gospel in a nutshell. Here is summed up what the prophet declares in Isaiah 53, the verses 4 and 7. For who doesn’t know the words, Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted?
Consider the way our Lord entered Jerusalem in the triumphal entry. There was no mighty stallion for him; simply a humble man riding on the foal of a donkey. This is how He is described in Zechariah 9:9. His humility and his saving work come through there and here in our text.
This was still some one thousand years away. But David was also a prophet and so it would happen as he prophesied. The expression that God has not hidden his face from him conveys this, because it is pointing to the fact that God’s face is upon Him. When Scripture speaks of God’s face being shown, it’s describing His richest blessing. The Aaronic blessing of Numbers 6:25 proves this, as it says the LORD make His face to shine upon you. With the completed work of His Son that’s exactly what God did!
Suggestions for prayer
Thank our Lord Jesus for His humility in bringing about the saving work of His own. Pray that we may embody that same spirit.
Rev. Sjirk Bajema currently serves the RCNZ Oamaru, in Oamaru, New Zealand. Over the past thirty-eight years Rev. Bajema has been privileged to minister with four congregations in Australia and New Zealand. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com.
