Friday, May 14, 2010
Psalm 22:24 (ESV) For he has not despised or abhorred the affliction of the afflicted, and he has not hidden his face from him, but has heard, when he cried to him.
THE AFFLICTION OF THE AFFLICTED
The Father, even though in those moments on the cross forsook His dearest only begotten Son by laying on Him the iniquity of us all, did not detest nor hold in contempt what Jesus was doing and what He had become for us. Nor did He hide His face from His Son. This was His will that His Son should die for sin. All that Jesus endured throughout His life on earth, and the suffering and death on the cross was done selflessly for us. The Father then honored His Son by raising Him from the dead, seating Him at His right hand in majesty on High and giving to His Son the authority and power over all things. The cries of His Son from the cross for deliverance He heard and answered. For even though Jesus became the scarlet and crimson of our sins, the Father received as perfect the offering of His own Son's body and blood as the complete atoning sacrifice for sin.
So many passages and so many hymns come to mind in these words of David here -- the hymns and passages which remind one of the sure and unending mercies of God for Jesus' sake. The care with which He leads us, the trials He may send us, we rest secure in the knowledge that He will not allow those waters to rise above our heads nor sweep us under. He is there and He hears our prayers for help. For He Himself has said, "Call upon Me in the day of trouble, and I will deliver you, and you shall glorify Me." This is as certain and sure as the sun rising in the east and setting in the west.
The most precious of all answered prayers is this answer: Not Guilty for Jesus sake. We are afflicted daily by sin. Because we are still in this world we will never shake that off. Our affliction often times is due to sin in general and because of our sins. Yet in those times when we cry to Him, His face is not hidden.
"Through the Lord's mercies we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning. Great is Your faithfulness! The Lord is my portion, says my soul, Therefore I hope in Him" (Lamentations 3:22-24).
