First, Christianity has seasons of waiting. Vs3, "I am weary with my crying out; my throat is parched. My eyes grow dim with waiting for my God." It's not all ease and joy. Our Lord Jesus is the righteous Man, completely perfect, but he endured agony. He was hated by men, and God punished him for us. Yet, he bore it in hope. 1 Peter 2:23, "When he was abused, he did not return abuse; when he suffered, he did not threaten; but he entrusted himself to the one who judges justly."

Let's call upon God in the darkness, and wait. Remember his promises, and commit your cause to him. He's utterly faithful. We can't see him, but he is God. Rely on him triumphantly. Fret not. Do not give in to doubt and fear. Trust him to sustain and to deliver you. He will!

Secondly, the Lord Jesus took the blame for our sins. Psalms 69:4-5, "Those who hate me without cause are more numerous than the hairs of my head; my deceitful enemies, who would destroy me, are powerful. Though I did not steal, I must repay. O God, you know my folly; the wrongs I have done are not hidden from you." This Psalm, like Psalms 22, is about him. He pays the price for our sins by becoming guilty. 2 Corinthians 5:21, "For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God." Before God, he's innocent, so he sustains him. Yet, he's also guilty, so God punishes him unsparingly.

Oh, God's wrath is hot against transgressions. Fear him, and honor Christ. Be thankful. Sit at the foot of the cross amazed at your redemption - what God did for you. Stand amazed at him suffering for you, and see the sword of justice pierce his tender heart. See the Obedient One crying out in submission, accepting his punishment.

Worship God, dear saints. Don't just learn doctrine. Be doers of the word, and live for Christ. We're under the greatest obligation of thanksgiving. Remember his love. Don't let other passions rule you. Filter everything through the blood of the cross, and his life laid down.

Thirdly, zeal motivated our Lord Jesus. Vs9, "For zeal for your house has consumed me, and the reproaches of those who reproach you have fallen on me." He had two passions: the glory of God in the salvation of his people, and God's punishment of his foes. He whipped the money changers, and drove them out. He wanted God's house honored, so people could worship the Father. Mark 11:17, "He was teaching and saying, “Is it not written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer for all the nations’? But you have made it a den of robbers.” He didn't go through the motions. He was passionate.

Pray that God would stir up your zeal. Trust him for it.

Bring COMPETING IDOLS to him. Let him sanctify your heart. This passion to glorify God is the only thing worth living for. It's good for us, and gives glory where it's due. Let our hearts be full of glorifying God, and we will do exploits. Let's be inside out Christians!