“I am poured out like water;
and all my bones are out of joint;
my heart is like wax;
it is melted within my breast;
my strength is dried up like a potsherd,
and my tongue sticks to my jaws;
you lay me in the dust of death.”
Psalm 22: 14-16

I am poured out like water: I am weak and ineffective. I spread my efforts wide, pushing bits of this and that around with me, but turn course at every major obstacle and finally evaporate, leaving a messy mark on all that I touched. But, my Lord Jesus poured out His blood for many for the forgiveness of sins.

All my bones are out of joint: I am overwhelmed, unable and inflexible. My paltry goals seem unattainable. Life’s demands stretch me too far. To stray from my self-appointed course on behalf of another would surely be more than I could bear. But, my Lord Jesus in His death and resurrection embraced each race, each generation, and each demand of the law.

My heart is like wax; it is melted within my breast: I am too easily influenced, too distracted too indifferent. The heat of others’ strong opinions presses against the malleable sentiments surrounding my mustard-seed faith. Molten, I take the middle-ground. But, my Lord Jesus, a rock of offence, compressed by a world of sin, sought mercy for His crucifiers, care for His mother, salvation for His world.

My strength is dried up like a potsherd: I am brittle and broken. The effects of Adam’s sin and my own sinful indulgences leave my body a crumbling vessel, detestable and hazardous to my neighbour. But, my Lord Jesus, whose body thirsted and died on the cross, is a spring of water welling up to eternal life.

My tongue sticks to my jaws: I am a mute witness. Though I have drunk of this life-giving water, I hold my peace, or I babble about myself. I pretend that the silent smile on my face will give my neighbour the cross to cling to in his hour of need. But, my Lord Jesus, whose words calmed storms and fed thousands, who was silent like a sheep led to the slaughter, was exalted so that at His name every knee would bow and every tongue confess that He is Lord.

You lay me in the dust of death: I am dying. My days are numbered. Accident, age, and illness grind away at this body daily and will finally reduce it to dirt. But, my dear Lord Jesus laid down His body, His life in death. And after three days in the earth He took it up again. He is the resurrection and the life and, as I believe in Him, though I die, so shall I live.

My Lord Jesus, in Your mercy You have redeemed me. To You be all glory and praise, now and forever. Amen.