SEPTEMBER 27, Isaiah 54:15

If humiliation is the key word for chapter 53, jubilation aptly characterises chapter 54. As a result of the suffering of the Servant Messiah, exuberant life breaks forth for His people. We really do owe it all to Jesus. Think about it - because Jesus suffered and was humiliated, we could be saved and receive victory and jubilation (rejoicing and delight). However, for people who do not accept our suffering Saviour, they will not be able to have jubilation.

When there is real repentance, God is more than prepared to forgive and restore. That is why in today’s passage, God expresses His love to Israel as a loving Husband would to a restored wife. Then, Israel will be blessed and become fruitful again.

In a way, the church today is like the Israel of old. If the church is cleansed and is repentant, she will be restored to God. Then only would the church be pure and growing again. Then only would she be jubilant and victorious again!

The same applies to you, dear child. If you want victory and jubilation in your life, you must receive the suffering Christ. By accepting the suffering Christ, it also means you must be prepared to suffer for Christ. It is not likely you will be called to be physically tortured for Christ, to be pushed and shoved around for the sake of Christ.

Perhaps what you may need to suffer for Jesus would be to “sacrifice” some sleep for Him as you press on in doing your devotion. Or perhaps standing up for Jesus in daring to be different from other children in school. Or maybe taking the extra effort to be kind to someone new, or even becoming unpopular, or bullied for your faith in Christ. If you commit to the Lord and dare to do these for Christ, He will fill you with joy and jubilation in knowing you did what you did in the strength of the Lord.

Thought: We shall eventually have jubilation.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for today’s lesson. Help me to dare to suffer for You, so that I will be able to participate in the jubilation to come. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.