Verses 22 – 23 + 25; say, “(Jesus) Who committed no sin, nor was any deceit found in His mouth; and while being reviled, He did not revile in return; while suffering, He uttered no threats, but kept entrusting Himself to Him (God) Who judges righteously; For you were continually straying like sheep, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and guardian of your souls.” What phenomenal Grace to be silent while being reviled and suffering, even while being threatened. God in His foresight and knowledge knew that man in his fallen state would not have the capacity to live a blameless life. He provided us with His own Son Jesus to come and live within us, so that we could totally depend upon His nature within for our only righteousness, and power to live righteously for Him.
2 Corinthians 1: 8 – 10: tells us, “For we do not want you to be unaware, brethren, of our affliction which came to us in Asia, that we were burdened excessively, beyond our strength, so that we despaired even of life; indeed, we had the sentence of death within ourselves in order that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God who raises the dead; who delivered us from so great a peril of death, and will deliver us, He on Whom we have set our hope. And He will yet deliver us.” How many of us can attest to the fact that the Lord has seen us through impossible times in our lives? Times as those mentioned in the above verses, when total dependence on the Lord was the only way through to victory.
Psalm 62: 1 – 2: “My soul waits in silence for God only; from Him is my Salvation. He only is my Rock and my Salvation, my Stronghold; I shall not be greatly shaken.” It is one thing to wait on the Lord when it hurts, but to wait on Him in silence is impossible apart from His Grace within, and a firm resolve to be obedient, and to occupy oneself with praise. Psalm 17: 3 – 4: says, “Thou hast tried my heart; Thou hast visited me by night; Thou hast tested me and dost find nothing (no evil device in me, in my mouth). I have purposed that my mouth will not transgress. As for the deeds of men, by the Word of Thy Lips I have kept from the way of the violent.” 2 Corinthians 5: 15: “For He died for all, that they who live should no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died and rose again on their behalf.”
In those times when we fall short of our own expectations and the Lord’s requirements for our lives, it is very important to remember that we are forgiven, as we repent, and are not to depend on ourselves, but on God Who raises us up, as a reminder that it is through His Life that He would have us thrive, and not in our own efforts. The Lord suffered and died, but on the third day He rose again in the Power of the Holy Spirit, so that we might also rise in His Power from our fallen state, to live in the victory He won for us all.
Dearest Holy Lord Jesus: thank You so very much for Your Holy Sufferings, which You suffered on our behalf. Thank You for Your Mercy and Grace applied to our lives that we may die to self, and let You live within. Come by Your Holy Spirit, and fill us afresh to relinquish the reigns of our lives to give You Jesus Lordship of every aspect of our being. Encourage the myriads around the world who are remembering Your sacrifice, so that their faith may be increased in Your Power to save, and deliver in times of need. Glory to You alone!
