April 14

Morning

All who see me mock me; they sneer and shake their heads: — Ps 22:7 BSB

Mockery played a significant role in our Lord’s suffering. Judas mocked Him in the garden, the chief priests and scribes ridiculed Him, Herod thought nothing of Him, and the servants and soldiers jeered at Him with brutal insults. Pilate and his guards mocked His kingship, and even as He hung on the cross, He was bombarded with cruel jests and scornful taunts.

Ridicule is always difficult to endure, but in the midst of intense pain, it becomes even more heartless and cruel. Imagine the Savior, crucified and racked with unimaginable anguish, while a mixed crowd surrounds Him, wagging their heads in contempt and mocking Him with bitter disdain. Surely, there must have been something remarkable about Him for such a diverse group to unite in pouring out their derision upon Him. Was it not evil, at the moment of its supposed triumph, confessing that it could do no more than mock the victorious goodness that was reigning from the cross?

O Jesus, “despised and rejected by men,” how could You die for those who treated You so shamefully? What love is this—love so amazing, so divine, beyond all comprehension?

We, too, once despised You during our unregenerate days, and even now, we sometimes place the world above You in our hearts. Yet, You bled to heal our wounds and died to give us life. O, that we could enthrone You in the hearts of all! May Your praises ring out across the land and sea until all humanity adores You as once they rejected You!

Evening

Tell the righteous it will be well with them, for they will enjoy the fruit of their labor. — Isa 3:10 BSB

"It is well with the righteous"—always. If the promise had said, "Tell the righteous that it will be well with them in prosperity," we would still be thankful, for prosperity comes with its own dangers, and to be secure in such times is a great blessing. Or if it had said, "Tell the righteous that it will be well with them in persecution," we would be grateful for that assurance too, for persecution is hard to bear.

But no specific time is mentioned in the promise, which means it applies to all times. God’s "shalls" must be taken in their fullest sense. From the beginning of the year to its end, from dusk till dawn, in every condition and circumstance—it shall be well with the righteous.

It is so well with the righteous that it could not possibly be better. They are well fed—feeding on the body and blood of Jesus. They are well clothed—clothed in the righteousness of Christ. They are well housed—dwelling in God Himself. They are well married—united to Christ in bonds of eternal love. They are well provided for—the Lord is their Shepherd. They are well endowed—heaven is their inheritance.

It is well with the righteous—this is guaranteed by divine authority, for the mouth of God has spoken it. O beloved, if God declares that all is well, even if ten thousand devils shout otherwise, we can laugh them to scorn. Praise be to God for the faith that enables us to trust His Word, even when circumstances seem to contradict it! God says it is well with you, righteous one—so even if you cannot see it, let His Word take the place of sight. Believe it with more certainty than if your eyes or feelings confirmed it! When God blesses someone, they are truly blessed, and what He declares is steadfast and true.