“In you our fathers trusted; they trusted, and you delivered them. To you they cried and were rescued; in you they trusted and were not put to shame.” – Psalm 22:4-5 

Scripture reading: Hebrews 1:1-4

Notice how many times the word “trust” appears in the text. Three times! And then notice how this word is used. It is tied in with being saved. In verse 4 the result of trusting is being delivered. So trust and deliverance are juxtaposed as cause and effect. Trusting looks to being saved.

Then in verse 5 it has a different sense. There trusting and being rescued, or being “not put to shame”, are in a reciprocal relationship; they go together. It’s this second sense which further confirms how Messianic this psalm is. With Christ being man and God, His human side was thoroughly Israelite, while the God of Israel is also the God of salvation. So He pleads upon the promises He Himself has given to His people.

They are the promises which, throughout the Church’s history, Christ has kept. And so our text tells us we must plead this way with God. We remind the Lord of the love He’s shown to His own in the past. We beg Him to remain constant.

Let’s also have this very much upon our hearts as we worship together today. We aren’t isolated pockets of people, but are part of the greatest movement throughout the ages.

Suggestions for prayer

Thank the Lord for this day He gives us – the Lord’s Day. Praise Him that we are part of those heading to eternity with Him.

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.