From the Pastor’s Pen: Psalm of Christ

Psalm 22, in part, is clearly one of those Old Testament passages that prophetically point forward to the Lord Jesus Christ. In this case, in the first two-thirds of the Psalm there are several graphic statements that describe Jesus’ passion for us on the cross. In a recent reading of this Psalm I was struck by words in the final third of the chapter with its call to all of God’s people to worship and praise.

Specifically, I was struck by the four words in the NIV version that end vv. 25-31, that end the Psalm – “He has done it!” After noting several ways in which the sovereign Lord has worked, is working and will work in the lives of His people David boldly and assuredly proclaims, “He has done it!”

I believe as each of us would reflect on the journey of our own lives and ministries, the twists and turns, the joys and challenges, we will see His good purposes being worked out and will confidently say with David, “He has done it!” Below I’ve noted a few of these life markers.

  • Our coming to faith in the Lord Jesus: I think of Paul’s words to the Corinthians after speaking of God’s redemptive work in Christ – “It is because of Him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption” (I Cor. 1:30). Our being drawn to the Savior, the faith to believe, being born of His Spirit are all the works of God – “He has done it!”

  • pp_birdHis deliverance of us from very difficult circumstances: David, as he often faced powerful enemies, testifies to this reality in his Psalms. “Praise be to the Lord who has not let us be torn by their teeth. We have escaped like a bird from the fowler’s snare; the snare has been broken, and we have escaped. Our help is in the name of the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth” (Psalm 124:6-8). No doubt you too have been delivered from powerful enemies in your journey and thus you proclaim with awe, “He has done it!”

  • His sovereign leadership in our lives: I think of the words of Abraham’s servant when he realizes he has been led so precisely to Rebekah in a distant land to be Isaac’s wife – “Then the man bowed down and worshipped the Lord, saying, ‘Praise be to the Lord, the God of my master Abraham, who has not abandoned his kindness and faithfulness to my master’” (Genesis 24:26, 27). As we reflect on God’s sovereign leadership in our lives, how He has opened and closed doors, how He has connected us with just the right people at the right time, we too will bow down and worship God, saying, “He has done it!”

  • Fruitfulness in our ministries: Here I think of Paul’s exhortation to the Corinthians as they were elevating one ministry leader over another – pp_plant“I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow. So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow” (I Cor. 3:6, 7). As we have the privilege of seeing significant fruit born in our personal and mission-wide ministries, may it never be a time of boasting, but rather of proclaiming with authentic praise, “He has done it!”

Worshipping Him for the good work He is doing in each of our lives and ministries,

Ralph Anderson

More about Ralph
ralph_joyceOne Challenge was blessed to have mission pastor Ralph Anderson, and his wife Joyce, at OC International for over 20 years. They tended to our souls through the Word, prayer, counsel, and encouragement. In 2020, Ralph handed over this role to Gill, another great man of the Lord, who is walking alongside OC workers in their ministry journey together.
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