No One Else Can Help Me

Do not stay so far from me, for trouble is near, and no one else can help me. My enemies surround me like a herd of bulls; fierce bulls of Bashan have hemmed me in! Like lions they open their jaws against me, roaring and tearing into their prey. My life is poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint. My heart is like wax, melting within me. Psalm 22:11-14  

Sculpture at the Church of the Holy Sepulcher - Jerusa

When David wrote this Psalm the Romans were not in Palestine…there was not the custom of crucifixion, but this Psalm describes what happened to Jesus when He was crucified on the Cross. During His life, ministry and His journey to the Cross Jesus very likely witnessed Roman crucifixion—it was the common capital punishment of the day. Today it would be cruel and unusual punishment—although it is still legal in some countries like the United Arab Emirates.

So in this Psalm it appears that David was writing a prediction about how Jesus was feeling on the Cross. Imagine hanging there—innocent—and yet bearing the guilt of billions of people. Feeling rejected by His own Father. Pleading with Him…Dad—stay close by. No one else can help me. No one else would go against the Romans or the Pharisees. Only God the Father could help Jesus…could comfort Him and assure Him that everything was going to be OK. Jesus felt abandoned—alone—bruised, beaten and in agony hanging on an old wooden cross between two criminals. I can’t imagine the level of pain He must have felt. Beaten, flogged with a Roman whip that contained nails or bits of metal. That beating was designed to remove skin from the prisoner’s back. A brutal way to die. Our Savior suffered that for us. For you and for me…and for countless others. Jesus paid for our sin. How can “Thank You” be enough?    

Prayer ~ Dear God…No one else can help me. I put my trust in You alone. I know You are close by—because You have promised that You will never leave me or forsake me. Thank You.

Thank You, Father God for giving up Your Son, Jesus, as a sacrifice for my sin. I humbly stand before You…unworthy, but knowing that I am forgiven. I praise You Jesus for Your obedience and love. Thank You—Thank You—Thank You.

Daily Bible Reading: March 12 – Deuteronomy 3-4

© 2017 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved. All scripture quoted from the New Living Translation (NLT) unless otherwise noted.

Biblical search from Blue Letter Bible - http://v3.blueletterbible.org/search.cfm.  www.blueletterbible.org/dailyreading