May 31

Morning

Everyone in the countryside was weeping loudly as all the people passed by. And as the king crossed the Kidron Valley, all the people also passed toward the way of the wilderness. — 2 Sam 15:23 BSB

David crossed that gloomy brook when he fled with his mourning followers from his rebellious son. The man after God's own heart was not exempt from sorrow—his life was full of it. He was both the Lord’s anointed and the Lord’s afflicted. Why, then, should we expect to escape suffering?

The greatest among us have stood at the gates of sorrow with ashes on their heads, so why should we complain as if something strange has happened to us? Even the King of kings did not travel a more cheerful or royal road. He passed over the filthy brook of Kidron, where the refuse of Jerusalem flowed. God had one Son without sin, but not a single child without the rod! How comforting it is to know that Jesus was tempted in every way we are.

What is your Kidron this morning? Is it a faithless friend, a painful loss, a slanderous attack, or a heavy worry? The King has gone through all of these. Is it physical pain, poverty, persecution, or contempt? Over each of these Kidrons, the King has passed before us. "In all our afflictions, He was afflicted." The thought of a life free from trials must be abandoned forever, for He who leads all His saints has experienced the very griefs we think are unique to us. Every citizen of Zion must join the Honorable Company of Mourners, with Prince Immanuel as Head and Captain.

Even though David was brought low, he returned triumphantly to his city, just as David's Lord arose victorious from the grave. Let us take heart, for we too will win the day. We shall draw water with joy from the wells of salvation, even though now we must pass by the polluted streams of sin and sorrow. Be brave, soldiers of the Cross—the King Himself triumphed after crossing Kidron, and so will you!

Evening

He who forgives all your iniquities and heals all your diseases, — Ps 103:3 BSB

As humbling as it is to admit, the fact remains that we all suffer to some degree from the disease of sin. What a comfort it is to know that we have a great Physician who is both willing and able to heal us! Let’s think of Him tonight.

His cures are swift—there’s life in just one look at Him. His cures are deep—He strikes at the very root of the disease. And His cures are certain. He never fails, and the sickness never returns. With Christ, there is no relapse—His patients aren’t just patched up for a while; He makes them new. He gives them a new heart and puts a right spirit within them.

He is skilled in treating every kind of spiritual disease. Earthly doctors often specialize in one area, though they may know a little about many ailments. But Jesus knows all about every weakness and illness in human nature. He’s just as comfortable with one sinner as He is with another, and He’s never faced a case too complex for Him. He has encountered the strangest, most severe combinations of sin, and yet with one glance, He knows how to heal it.

Jesus is the only true universal Physician, and the remedy He provides is the only one that works in every case. Whatever your spiritual sickness may be, apply to Him at once. There is no broken heart that Jesus cannot heal. His blood cleanses from every sin. Just think of the countless people who have been freed from every kind of affliction by His touch, and you will joyfully place yourself in His hands. We trust Him, and sin dies; we love Him, and grace lives; we wait for Him, and grace is strengthened; we see Him as He is, and grace is perfected forever!