But your iniquities have built barriers between you and your God, and your sins have hidden His face from you, so that He does not hear.

— Isaiah 59:2

But God proves His love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

— Romans 5:8

4 Surely He has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed Him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted.

5 But He was pierced for our transgressions; He was crushed for our iniquities; upon Him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with His wounds we are healed.

— Isaiah 53:4-5

He Himself bore our sins in His body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By His wounds you have been healed.

— 1 Peter 2:24

It is the LORD who goes before you. He will be with you; He will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.

— Deuteronomy 31:8

Thoughts on Today’s Reading

Grace, mercy and salvation from Christ to you.

We should not ignore the reality and result of sin in our lives. Whether a direct result of personal sin or an indirect result of sinful humanity, from a worldly perspective, the inevitable and pervasive pain around us seems unfair and pointless. For us to come to terms with suffering’s source and solution requires our living in the hope only Jesus provides. Jesus Christ, humanity’s Lord and Savior, suffered to overcome suffering. Jesus bore the pain of sin and death to conquer sin and death.

Jesus’s suffering unto death enables all who believe in Him to live with hope. One day there will be no more pain and loss, only glory in His presence. Meanwhile, believers continue to suffer, but we are not alone. Our loving, compassionate, and empathetic Lord walks with His children through our darkest valleys. And while we wait for His promised deliverance, we trust the purposes God intends, even if we do not fully understand His ways. Will you trust God’s purposes in the hardest challenge you face today?