Acquainted With His Grief
January 11
A man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief:
Isaiah 53:3 KJV
Caught in another lie, Jenna was trying to explain her inability to stop, “I’ve tried, Mom! But it’s like…” she paused, struggling to articulate her thoughts, “It’s like I hear myself telling another lie…like someone else has taken control of me, and I’m just a spectator.”
Her father’s comment brought the sting conviction, “It’s hard to trust you, Jenna. We struggle to believe you.”
“I know, Daddy!” Jenna said. “I honestly don’t know why I can’t stop.” Her apparent frustration told them that, at least in this case, she wasn’t lying.
Receiving divine inspiration her father asked, “Do you remember your first lie, Jenna?”
“No,” came her embarrassed reply.
“That’s because of all the lies that have followed.” He let that sink in, then continued, “Jenna, once we get used to doing something it becomes second nature. If it’s something wrong, any conviction we were intended to feel loses its desired effect. When we no longer feel sorrow for our sin we have become desensitized to its destruction. Honey, for every lie you’ve ever told, or will tell in the future, Jesus took a beating.” He saw this was a revelation, and added, “He suffered so we could gain victory over the sin in our life.”
Between sobs Jenna said, “I’m…so…sorry…Daddy!”
“Jenna, you know how you said it felt like someone else took control of you?” She nodded.
He continued, “That’s not Jesus, because Jesus wants to set you free, not watch as Satan holds you in bondage. Do you understand?”
“Yes, Daddy.” came her subdued response.
†
Our definition of an acquaintance is someone we know; yet not intimately. We have shared no deep connection; there is no lasting bond. Within the human definition of today’s text there is no hope of defeating sin.
Only Someone truly acquainted with the sorrow of our sin has the knowledge of how to defeat it. Jesus’ acquaintance with grief is unlike ours; and so is His power to overcome!
Sin will reign in our lives until we become intimately acquainted with the sorrow and grief of the One Who can defeat it.
Prayer
“Take me deep enough that I can know You intimately, Lord, then take me deeper, to where sorrow and grief conquer sin. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.”
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