Wednesday of Holy Week
“Abba, Father,” he said, “everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.”—MARK 14:36 (NIV)
“ ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”—REVELATION 21:4–5 NIV
This world is sadly full of sorrow and disappointment. But God doesn’t allow our pain to be purposeless. It helps us need Jesus more. It drives us to a closer, more dependent relationship with Him, even when we can’t possibly understand the reason for the pain we are experiencing.
Pain, especially when it’s seen in our rearview mirror rather than in front of our faces, helps us have greater compassion for others’ suffering. It also gives us common ground to give comfort and empathize with others who are in painful circumstances.
It won’t always be like this. Someday we will live with Jesus in a perfect life with no sorrow, pain, or disappointment. We get a “no more tears” promise that is greater than any baby shampoo could deliver. Someday we will have joy greater than anything this Earth can offer because it won’t be tinged by sin and death. That is a promise we can hold on to.
Heavenly Father, thank You so much for defeating death and sin so we can have a glorious future with You in heaven, where we will truly have no more tears. Help us cling to Your promises and comfort others who are going through painful situations. Amen.
“Abba, Father,” he said, “everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.”—MARK 14:36 (NIV)
He came to Jesus at night and said, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the signs you are doing if God were not with him.”—John 3:2 (NIV)
Again the Israelites cried out to the Lord, and he gave them a deliverer—Ehud, a left-handed man, the son of Gera the Benjamite.—Judges 3:15 (NIV)