Midweek Message from the Archive
Finding Jesus: Psalms
Many years ago while teaching young children I observed that learning was best approached through experiences. Whatever the lesson, I tried to allow the children to have a hands-on activity or at least relate an experience they had encountered. God, being the Master Teacher, allowed a few people to experience life in very specific ways in order to teach us through them. These poems, praise and worship songs, laments, prayers, and prophecies are timeless, consequently, when read at just the right time, bring hope and encouragement like nothing else.
Even more than that, when we find Jesus in the Psalms, the fulfilled prophecies give evidence that He is Who He said He was. Jesus spoke to that issue after His resurrection on the road to Emmaus:
And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, He interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself… Then He said to them, “These are My words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about Me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled.” Then He opened their minds to understand the Scriptures. Luke 24:27, 44, 45
Let’s reflect on individual Psalms:
- Ps. 2:2 declares that the kings and rulers of the earth will take counsel together against the LORD and His Anointed. This clearly points to the Second Coming of Christ.
- Ps. 16:10 is quoted by Peter in the New Testament (Acts 2:27-28) while referring to the deity of Christ.
- Jesus quoted from Ps. 22 as He hung on the cross and Ps. 30:3 describes the gratefulness He felt after spending three days and nights in the depths of Sheol, hell, only to rise again bringing the believing captives with Him.
- Ps. 24:7-10 speaks of the King of Glory: our returning King.
- Ps. 40:6-8 is quoted by Jesus in Heb. 10:4-7.
Whatever you’re experiencing in life today God has a word hidden for you in the Psalms; make it your quest to dig it out. Interestingly, as the Jews were rebuilding the Temple, under much opposition, they were standing on the hope given in the Psalms. Their preparation was for the coming of Messiah, the same as ours today, only we believe it’s the Second Coming. So declare them, pray them, or simply let them minister to your soul as you reflect on those priceless words. Remember, He allows you to experience life in many different ways in order for you to see His character and love.
Trust in the LORD, and do good; Dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness. Delight yourself also in the LORD, And He shall give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the LORD, Trust also in Him, And He shall bring it to pass. He shall bring forth your righteousness as the light, And your justice as the noonday. Psalms 37:3-6
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