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“Greatly have they afflicted me from my youth, yet they have not prevailed against me.”Psalm 129:2
AFFLICTION
The afflictions of the Lord Jesus Christ were not only those He received while hanging upon the cross, nor only those prior cruel torments inflicted upon Him by His captors, but it was also in the fact that the sinless and perfect God-Man must endure the filth and depravity of sinful humanity (Psa 129:1a; Isa 53:2-4); and Jesus invites us to share in His sufferings (Psa 129:1b; Phil 3:10). While we proclaim Christ’s afflictions and death as our atoning grace, at the same time we also declare and exalt the prevailing triumph of His resurrection (Psa 129:2; Acts 4:2). Jesus suffered physically under the relentless Roman scourge before enduring God’s wrath upon the cross (Psa 129:3; Matt 27:6). Those who hate Jesus, who is Messiah, and therefore, prophetically Zion, are under the great condemnation of sin, and unless they, like we, are saved by grace through faith in Christ’s atoning sacrifice upon the cross, will have their cords cut and will be put to shame (Psa 129:4-5; John 19:11). The enemies of Christ’s cross will wither on the rooftops and bear nothing for the great Harvester (Psa 129:6-7; Jas 1:11); and before Christ’s judgment seat, there will be no blessing for them— no, not from the angels in heaven, neither from the redeemed children saved by grace (Psa 129:8; 2 Jn 1:11).
Because the Lord Jesus was afflicted, in following Him, we are promised affliction as well. We will be hated by the unbelieving world (John 15:18). We will have tribulation in the world (John 16:33). We will suffer persecution form the world (2 Tim 3:12). Nevertheless, the world will not prevail against us; for Jesus Himself promised that even the gates of hell are powerless against His church:
“…and on this Rock I will build My church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” Matthew 16:18
You and I can count on this promise, for with the Lord Jesus Christ, “there is steadfast love, and with Him is plentiful redemption” (Psa 130:7). Hallelujah! What a Savior!
Yes, great were our Lord’s afflictions,
For Him, we suffer too;
Yet, in the Lord of redemption
Is prevailing strength for me and you.
Online Bible Audio/Readings Links (ESV)
11/4 Reading Portions: 2 Kings 17; Titus 3; Hosea 10; Psalm 129-131
