He was despised and rejected of men; a man
of sorrows, and acquainted with grief...
Isaiah 53:3a
Lately, I have received a number of letters from friends and strangers who are facing difficult and painful situations...
of sorrows, and acquainted with grief...
Isaiah 53:3a
Lately, I have received a number of letters from friends and strangers who are facing difficult and painful situations...
Sickness, the loss of a loved one, or tough circumstances of some kind.
But whatever the situation or circumstance, Jesus is there to love, help, and encourage those who know Him as their Lord. Healing, which many are hoping for, is a process. It often takes time, and from what I have observed, even in my own life, is that healing from damaged emotions takes the longest.
We need to be patient with ourselves, and with God, as well. We also need to know that Jesus is our Rock and the source of our strength and joy. That as members of His body, the Church, we always stand together as one. Whenever one of us suffers, we all suffer. Whenever one rejoices, so do we. And we mourn with those who mourn.
No one is exempt from suffering. No one is exempt from seasons of sorrow. The shadow of death follows us all, and it follows the ones we love, too (Psalm 23:4).
In fact, Messiah Jesus knows all about pain and persecution, and sorrow and suffering, because He experienced these very same things. Yet Christ never took His eyes off His heavenly Father. Neither should we. He is our example. Jesus is our Victory. He is Lord over all.
Although Jesus experienced rejection, pain, grief, and sorrow, He also enjoyed getting the victory over these things. He triumphed over sin, Satan, and death. As it states further along in the 53rd chapter of the writings of Isaiah the prophet, "He shall see the travail of His soul, and be satisfied..." Hence, we are always, "More than conquerors through Christ who loves us" (Romans 8:37).
Assuredly, it is because of the painful work and the ultimate victory of the Son of Sorrow, that we can now proclaim ourselves to be the sons and daughters of victory.
D.B.
But whatever the situation or circumstance, Jesus is there to love, help, and encourage those who know Him as their Lord. Healing, which many are hoping for, is a process. It often takes time, and from what I have observed, even in my own life, is that healing from damaged emotions takes the longest.
We need to be patient with ourselves, and with God, as well. We also need to know that Jesus is our Rock and the source of our strength and joy. That as members of His body, the Church, we always stand together as one. Whenever one of us suffers, we all suffer. Whenever one rejoices, so do we. And we mourn with those who mourn.
No one is exempt from suffering. No one is exempt from seasons of sorrow. The shadow of death follows us all, and it follows the ones we love, too (Psalm 23:4).
In fact, Messiah Jesus knows all about pain and persecution, and sorrow and suffering, because He experienced these very same things. Yet Christ never took His eyes off His heavenly Father. Neither should we. He is our example. Jesus is our Victory. He is Lord over all.
Although Jesus experienced rejection, pain, grief, and sorrow, He also enjoyed getting the victory over these things. He triumphed over sin, Satan, and death. As it states further along in the 53rd chapter of the writings of Isaiah the prophet, "He shall see the travail of His soul, and be satisfied..." Hence, we are always, "More than conquerors through Christ who loves us" (Romans 8:37).
Assuredly, it is because of the painful work and the ultimate victory of the Son of Sorrow, that we can now proclaim ourselves to be the sons and daughters of victory.
D.B.
