For he grew up before him like a young plant,
and like a root out of dry ground;
he had no form or majesty that we should look at him,
and no beauty that we should desire him.
He was despised and rejected by men;
a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief;
and as one from whom men hide their faces
he was despised, and we esteemed him not.Surely he has borne our griefs
and carried our sorrows;
yet we esteemed him stricken,
smitten by God, and afflicted.
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 53:2-5, ESV
Today’s Scripture is taken from the famous passage prophesying about Jesus. It is called the Suffering Servant passage for obvious reasons. I love how God talks about sending a servant who is well acquainted with grief, sorrow, and rejection. If you have experienced abandonment or discovered adultery, it is a very easy to relate to the Suffering Servant.
One of the main reasons I remained a Christian throughout this awful experience was that I knew my pain mattered to my God who died on a cross. He knows rejection and grief. And this gave me much comfort.
I could not follow a God to whom my deep sorrow and suffering did not matter.
Jesus reminds us that God the Father is a perfect father (Mt 7:9-11, Lk 11:13, James 1:17). He is much better than even the best of our earthly fathers. And I am blessed with a very good earthly father.
Since my pain and suffering hurts my earthly father who is not perfect, it must impact my heavenly Father who loves me perfectly infinitely more!
My pain counts.
And so does yours.
Sometimes it may not feel like it. And that is where faith takes over–in the places we do not see or feel, we flex our belief muscle and walk forward trusting in God’s goodness. Slowly–if we remain vigilant–I suspect you will begin to spot the “angels” God sends to bind up your broken heart and strengthen you through the storm. I know He sent me many in my dark valley and I suspect He will send them to you as well.
Just ask.
And believe.
Your pain matters.
He takes no delight in the suffering of His precious child.
You matter greatly to Him!
