Monday, April 02, 2007

We Have A Gentle, Compassionate God And Savior

"Today's Devotion" For April 2, 2007

Read: Isaiah 42:1-9; Psalm 96

WE HAVE A GENTLE, COMPASSIONATE GOD AND SAVIOR

"A bruised reed He will not break, and a smoldering wick He will not snuff out. In faithfulness He will bring forth justice; He will not falter or be discouraged till He establishes justice on earth." (Isaiah 42:3, 4)

Are you tough? Can you stand on your own two feet? I suspect that most people would answer these questions in the affirmative. Our pride as human beings generally leads us to believe we can handle anything, that we can overcome any obstacle, and that we can control our destiny. Yet, as we stand on the "Via Dolorosa" - "The Way of Sorrows" - and watch Jesus move closer and closer to the Cross we come face to face with our brokenness as human beings and our inability to save ourselves from the horrific results that Sin visits upon our lives and our world.

We don't have to look very far to understand human frailty and failure. Our newspapers and other news media speak on a daily basis about war, disease, poverty, crime, and economic turmoil. Hopelessness is evident in every corner of the globe; have you seen the looks in people's eyes and their body language as television and reporters' cameras catch the destruction, squalor, and suffering being visited upon human beings by other human beings? How helpless and hopeless do you feel when you see the suffering of others - all as a result of Sin in the world?

What a wonderful message comes to the world and to us as we hear God's words through the Prophet Isaiah! His promise to send a Savior to redeem the world from Sin, overcome death, and defeat Satan brought hope then, and brings hope now. Not only this, but the picture of this Savior in one of compassion, kindness, concern, patience, and love (just to name a few). The imagery of people who are "broken reeds" and "smoldering wicks" - spiritually and emotionally hurting and dying - is a powerful reminder of the consequences of Sin in the world and in people's lives. God, our heavenly Father, didn't give up on us. He determined to redeem us and bring us, and the world, back to Him.

And so Jesus walked the "Via Dolorosa" as the gentle, compassionate, suffering Servant whose suffering and death paid the full and complete penalty of God's justice for the sins of the world. As we prepare once again to remember His death and then rejoice in His resurrection, we walk that "Way of Sorrows" with Him and experience His compassion, love, grace, and mercy in our own lives. We are able to face the world and all its sorrows and despair with hope and courage because Jesus has paid the price of Sin for us and all humanity. By faith in Him our sins are forgiven - a forgiveness offered to the world - and God's justice is complete. No longer do we despair or lose hope because we walk with Jesus as His dearly beloved children - and seek to share that same hope and love with others.

Prayer: Father, thank You for loving me so much that You sent Jesus to take my place on the Cross. Thank You for Your compassion and mercy that led You to seek my redemption instead of my destruction. Forgive me for not turning to You and Your love and forgiveness as I so often try to "fix" things over which I have no control. Forgive me for not speaking up boldly when I see others trying to do the same and leaving You out of the picture. As I walk with Jesus along the "Way of Sorrows" again this Holy Week, send Your Holy Spirit into my heart and mind that I may look to Jesus for strength and hope for living and the courage to share Your grace, mercy, love, and forgiveness in Him with everyone I meet today and everyday. In His precious and most holy name I pray. Amen.
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--Pastor Boeck

Copyright ©2007 Rev. Richard J. Boeck, Jr. All rights reserved.

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