Psalm 22:5
5 They cried [za`aq] unto thee,
and were delivered: [malat] they trusted [batach] in thee, and were not confounded. [buwsh] KJV-Interlinear
5 To
Thee they cried out, and were delivered; In Thee they trusted, and were not
disappointed. NASB
Cried, ‘za aq,’ means the
submission of a prayer in extreme earnest, and under extreme pressure.
Trusted, ‘batach,’ means
confidence, to seek refuge, to be bold with assurance.
Confounded, ‘buwsh,’
means to pale, ashamed, disappointed.
And therefore, those
ancestors to which Jesus was referring during the process of the cross, as was
David, referring to ancestors that had lived before him, it was those ancestors
that called upon God with confidence, and without prejudice, even in the face
of terrible sufferings and pressures in their respective situations.
They had confidence, which
was fueled by faith, and they were not disappointed, neither were they ashamed
or disappointed at the results with which God answered them.
Daniel was thrown into
the lion’s den and survived without even a scratch.
Jonah was thrown
overboard, swallowed by a whale, and survived.
All of the prophets were
killed in some manner, and had to live with the gossip and ridicule and mocking.
And in every case, none
of these positive believers were ashamed or disappointed with the position they
took favoring God, versus the overwhelming plots and opinions that were set
against them.
None of them complained
or used prior examples in order to gain what they wanted. After all they could have made a case that
Samson was given strength, Solomon was given wealth, David was given a high
office, then why no me? Why not a little
something for me? After all, what could
that hurt in the bigger picture of history, since I am such a little person?
But David spoke with
God. Moses spoke with God. Daniel spoke with God. Job spoke with God. Paul spoke with God.
And what is it that you and
I have? Well, we have the written scriptures
and none of us will speak directly with God.
We have the completed works of the scriptures, and also we have the many
benefits and privileges that no other person in all of history, prior to the cross,
had.
And we have faith, and
faith alone with which to depend and rely on, during our entire life.
We in this dispensation are
royal family, royal priests, royal ambassadors, first born sons, adopted sons
no less, but with first born privilege. We can address God in prayer directly
and do not have to go through anyone else.
As priests we have the right of direct access to God, but under Gods
terms, naturally. And that requires confession
to God prior to any spiritual activity.
But for 4000 years plus,
people have been praying to God without being ashamed, without being
disappointed, and God has been faithful in every case.
And, the cross had not
even been accomplished in those early ancient times. So all prayer had to be balanced on a great
deal of faith that God would actually be able to secure salvation as promised.
For all of those early
centuries, the pace of life was very slow.
Not like today where the pace of life is blinding fast at times. Today we can travel more miles in a year than
any of those people did in their lifetimes.
But no matter what the
technology or lack of it, the plan of God for each person is the same in that
it is unique to each person, and perfectly planned out by God for each person. It is left to us to benefit or lose out,
based on our attitude. And attitude can
easily be swayed by the seemingly inaction of God where it concerns us.
So, to whom greater
blessings are given, greater faith is expected.
Do you have the poise of a royal, or do you whine like a peasant?
