January 20

One of life’s greatest fears is death, but perhaps more than we fear death, we dread the thought of being helpless. We distain the thought of growing old and weak. We recoil at the notion of being held against our will and handled with rough hands that would humiliate and harm us.

We know that Jesus Himself was tortured and reviled—He was punished for the sins of all mankind. He submitted Himself willingly to the ignominy of the cross because He loves us so completely. Because He has endured humiliation and torture and death, He understands our fear.

He speaks to it. He comforts us in the throes of our dilemma that wrests peace from our soul and afflicts us with doubt and anxiety about the future and our ability to deal with it. In His words, we can find rest for our weary spirit. He says, ”My grace is sufficient for you, for My great power is made perfect in your weakness.” II Corinthians 12:9

He assures us that when our time of affliction comes, when our moment of depletion is upon us, we won’t have to rely upon our own resources to deal with them. Though we may be fraught with fear and racked with pain, His strength will overcome the onslaught against us and deliver us from the limitations of our own frail resources into the deliverance afforded by His strong Word.