Man of Sorrows

Wasn't going to post another post tonight but accidently opened and read this devotional and it was basically exacly what I was talking about I think 2 entries ago so I really felt I needed to share it.  I hope it helps someone as much as it helped me.  Man of Sorrows  October 15, 2008  Key Passage: Matthew 27:32-44  Topic: Pain/Suffering; God's Love; Jesus  So also the chief priests, with the scribes and elders, mocked him, saying "He saved others; he cannot save himself. He is the King of Israel; let him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in him. He trusts in God; let God deliver him now, if he desires him. For he said, 'I am the Son of God.'" (Matthew 27:41-43, ESV)   This morning I prayed with some coworkers. One request was for someone's mother who was having heart problems and other difficulties. About a half hour later, I learned that she died yesterday. One request was for a family who had just given birth to a son...who died an hour later. These were Christian people faithfully serving the Lord.   I confess, I don't understand the purpose of pain like this. I don't understand how God glorifies Himself through circumstances like this. I'm sorry if you're looking for answers, I don't have those.   What I do have is Truth.   True: God is in control. He has all these situations well in hand. Nothing happens that He doesn't allow and nothing happens without a purpose.   True: God loves you. He doesn't put you through pain and suffering just to watch you squirm. He doesn't allow hardships because He doesn't notice or care. Just because we can't see the purpose or the greater good in a situation, doesn't mean that it's not there. Consider for a moment that God has a better handle on things than you do.   True: God is with you. He understands your situations and your pain. As He was crucified, Jesus endured incredible physical pain. The crowds around Him made fun of Him, challenging who He was and saying that God didn't care about Him. He also endured emotional pain: betrayal, grief, loss, humiliation. As Jesus took your sin upon Himself, He experienced the spiritual pain of being separated from God the Father for the first time in all of eternity.   He had the power to end this, but He didn't. He endured the pain and humiliation because His love for you is greater than the pain. And Jesus understands your pain better than you do. In fact, Isaiah describes Him as "a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief" (Isaiah 53:3, ESV).   Give Him your life. Give Him your pain. He loves you, understands you and will care for you better than you ever could. Does that mean that you won't experience pain anymore? No. But it does mean that you won't go through it alone.    Like what you're reading? Forward this e-mail to a friend! Contact Ushttp://www.notreligion.com/index.php/Contact-Us/NotReligion.html Privacy Statementhttp://www.notreligion.com/index.php/Privacy-Policy.html NotReligionhttp://www.notreligion.com