HE HATH BORNE OUR GRIEF!

HE HATH BORNE OUR GRIEF!

Isa 53:4-5

4 Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.

5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.

          As a father, I sometimes wish I could simply assume as my own all the hurt of my child. This comes when answers fail. When answers fail all that is left is sacrifice. I would remove her burden and carry it myself so that she might go free. I would pay her price so that she might not be charged. I would do all these things because I love her. This is common to the human experience. It is what a loving father does.

          We are taught to pray “Our Father.” All our requests are made upon this foundational relationship. We are not praying to “our banker” or “our employer” but our requests are made to our father; our heavenly father. When he ask Him unanswerable questions He does not respond with answers. He responds by lifting our anxiety.

          The Hebrew word translated “bruised” in verse 5 is literally “beaten to pieces.” Such is the sacrificial love of the heavenly father. When we present to Him our anguish, He assumes it as His own. When we run to him with bumps, bruises, and scraped knees, He shows us His own stripes.

          Because we cannot see Him, we think He cannot see us. Because we cannot hear His voice, we think He isn’t listening when we pray. Because we cannot see a resolution to our problems, we think He is not at work solving them. But, like a dove, he flutters and coos over us with great solicitude. Do not, like Job’s wife, abandon hope while in the throes of anguish.

Rom 8:15-18

15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.

16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:

17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.

18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.

Abba, Father, carry the anguish of your children today. Speedily come to the rescue of those trapped in painful circumstances. Reassure those who are tempted to doubt. We have fallen and hurt ourselves. Carry us Father. AMEN