What does "not despised or detested" reveal about God's character? Context of the Phrase • Psalm 22:24: “For He has not despised or detested the affliction of the afflicted; He has not hidden His face from him, but has listened to his cry for help.” • Spoken by David in a psalm that prophetically foreshadows the sufferings of Christ, this line stands out as a declaration of how the LORD responds to human misery. Meaning of “Not Despised or Detested” • “Despised” points to looking down on someone as worthless. • “Detested” conveys revulsion or abhorrence. • Together, the words stress that God never regards the suffering person with contempt or disgust. What This Reveals About God’s Character • Unfailing Compassion – He engages with the hurting instead of recoiling. – Isaiah 57:15 confirms it: He “revives the spirit of the lowly.” • Personal Attention – He “has not hidden His face,” showing His willingness to be present. – Psalm 34:18 echoes: “The LORD is near to the brokenhearted.” • Active Mercy – He “has listened to his cry,” proving He acts, not merely observes. – Exodus 3:7: “I have surely seen the affliction… and have heard their cry.” • Consistent Holiness – Because God is holy, His compassion is pure, never fickle or sentimental. – Hebrews 4:15 shows Christ as High Priest who “sympathizes with our weaknesses” while remaining sinless. Cross-Scripture Confirmations • Isaiah 66:2—God’s favor rests on “the one who is humble and contrite.” • Leviticus 26:44—Even under judgment, He “will not reject them or abhor them.” • Matthew 12:20—A “bruised reed He will not break.” Personal Takeaways • No suffering believer is ever repulsive to God; He welcomes every honest cry. • Suffering does not signal divine disgust but invites deeper experience of His presence. • Because God never despises the afflicted, believers can mirror His heart, refusing to look down on anyone in pain. |
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