March 29

Morning

Although He was a Son, He learned obedience from what He suffered. — Heb 5:8 BSB

We are told that the Captain of our salvation was made perfect through suffering, so we who are sinful and far from perfect shouldn’t be surprised if we’re called to go through suffering as well. Should the Head be crowned with thorns while the rest of the body rests in comfort? Must Christ wade through seas of His own blood to gain the crown, and we walk to heaven with dry feet in silver slippers? No, our Master’s experience teaches us that suffering is necessary, and the true child of God wouldn’t want to avoid it even if they could!

But there is a comforting thought in knowing that Christ was made perfect through suffering—it means He can fully sympathize with us. “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are.” In His sympathy, we find strength. One early martyr said, “I can bear it all, for Jesus suffered, and He sympathizes with me, and that makes me strong.” Believer, cling to this thought during your hardest trials. Let the thought of Jesus’ suffering give you strength as you follow in His footsteps. Take comfort in His sympathy!

Remember, to suffer is honorable—suffering for Christ is glory. The apostles rejoiced that they were counted worthy to suffer for Him. As far as the Lord gives us grace to suffer for Christ, to suffer with Christ, He honors us. The jewels of a Christian are their afflictions! The crowns of the kings whom God has anointed are their troubles, sorrows, and griefs. So let’s not shy away from this honor. Let’s not turn aside from being lifted up through suffering. Trials exalt us, and difficulties raise us up. “If we suffer, we shall also reign with Him.”

Evening

I opened for my beloved, but he had turned and gone. My heart sank at his departure. I sought him, but did not find him. I called, but he did not answer. — Song 5:6 BSB

Sometimes prayer lingers like a beggar at the gate, waiting until the King comes to fill its arms with blessings. The Lord, even after giving great faith, may test it with long delays. He allows His servants’ cries to echo back, seemingly unanswered, as if from a closed heaven. They knock at the golden gate, but it remains unmoved, like a door rusted on its hinges. Like Jeremiah, they cry out, “You have covered Yourself with a cloud so that our prayers cannot get through.”

True saints have often waited patiently for a long time without receiving an answer, not because their prayers lacked intensity or sincerity, but because it pleased the Sovereign Lord to delay His response. If it pleases Him to test our patience, shouldn’t He have the right to do so? After all, beggars can’t be choosers when it comes to the timing, place, or form of their answers.

But we must not mistake delays in prayer for denials! God’s long-dated promises will always be fulfilled. Don’t let Satan shake your confidence in God’s faithfulness by pointing to your unanswered prayers. Unanswered prayers are not unheard prayers. God keeps every prayer; they aren’t blown away by the wind—they are stored in the archives of heaven. In the courts of the Lord, there is a registry where every prayer is recorded. Believer, your Lord has a bottle where He keeps your tears, and a book where your groans are written. In due time, your prayers will be answered. Can you not wait a little longer? Won’t the Lord’s timing be better than your own? Soon He will come and bring joy to your soul, removing the sackcloth of long waiting and dressing you in the fine linen of fulfilled promises.