“But I am a worm and not a man, scorned by mankind and despised by the people. All who see me mock me; they make mouths at me; they wag their heads; “He trusts in the Lord; let him deliver him; let him rescue him, for he delights in him!”” -Psalm 22:6–8
Every post-pubescent human being is capable of judging from his own experience the severity of David’s suffering. The painful scorn of his enemies is evidenced in his comparing himself to a worm, the lowliest of creatures, and that which makes mud and dung its habitation. Despised as lower than the least of men, his enemies made faces and wagged their heads at David. His suffering is enhanced by the feelings of abandoned from God’s compassionate eye. And, the fact that God had yet to deliver him gave his enemies that much more about which to mock him.
Of great interest to us is the fact that the mocking gestures expressed in verses 7 and 8 were used against our Lord as he hung, rejected by God and man, on Calvary’s cross.
Matthew records it for us: “And those who passed by derided him, wagging their heads” -Matthew 27:39 “And the robbers who were crucified with him also reviled him in the same way.” -Matthew 27:44
As the Son of God was scorned, despised, and mocked by unbelieving men, let us not think the enemy will be more merciful to his followers.
““Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. “Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” -Matthew 5:10–12
Let us rejoice and be glad when we are persecuted for righteousness’ sake and do as John Calvin advised:
Whenever, therefore, men charge us with hypocrisy, let it be our endeavour that the inward sincerity of our hearts may answer for us before God. And whenever Satan attempts to dislodge faith from our minds, by biting detraction and cruel derision, let this be our sacred anchor,—to call upon God to witness it, and that, beholding it, he may be pleased to show his righteousness in maintaining our right, since his holy name cannot be branded with viler blasphemy than to say that those who put their trust in him are puffed up with vain confidence, and that those who persuade themselves that God loves them deceive themselves with a groundless fancy.