ECWA Food for the Day – 23rd July, 2025

WEDNESDAY, 23 JULY
TEXT: PSALM 22:1-18
TOPIC: THE PRESENCE OF SUFFERING DOES NOT MEAN THE ABSENCE OF GOD

The opening words of psalm 22 remind us of the passion of Christ (Matthew 27:46). Throughout the Hebrew Bible, we see David as a type of Christ in his various roles as Shepherd, giant slayer, warrior and King.

Many of the Psalms that David wrote, especially psalm 22, prophetically points to Christ and speak of Him, especially His passion.

The first section is a lament by the psalmist who was in deep distress and felt that God had abandoned him. The second is a song of Praise to God because of what he had done in the life of the psalmist.

Although the psalmist had placed his faith in God, he was suffering and near death. Faith in God does not exclude suffering.

Likewise, the presence of suffering does not imply the absence of God. When our faith is vacillating between Hope and despair, we need to remember that faith is not a vaccine which prevents diseases and suffering.

Faith means that when we go through suffering, the hands of the faithful God are there to rescue us. That is why psalm 22 starts with a cry of despair but ends with praise of deliverance.

QUESTION
Are there times you feel that you had been forsaken and abandoned by God?

PRAYER
Dear God, as my faith vacillate between Hope and despair, help me to hold unto Jesus every day who has the power to change my circumstances.