The God Who Suffers With Us

In all their suffering he also suffered,

and he personally rescued them.

In his love and mercy he redeemed them.

He lifted them up and carried them through all the years.

Isaiah 63:9 (NLT)

            I like the way The Message translation pens this passage: “He became their Savior. In all their troubles, he was troubled too. He didn’t send someone else to help them. He did it himself, in person. Out of his own love and pity he redeemed them. He rescued them and carried them along for a long, long time.”

            Most of us parents understand what it means to suffer with our child when they are sick, upset, discouraged, confused. When they hurt, we hurt. Because we love our children. We would do anything to relieve their pain and suffering.

            Isn’t it wonderful to know that the Almighty God, Creator of the universe, cares about us? He’s not some tyrant, sitting in heaven, ready to thump us when we do something wrong. On the contrary! When we suffer, He also suffers. He is a personal God, our Abba, our Heavenly Father who hurts when we hurt, who loved us so much that He sent His only Son, Jesus, to rescue us from the world’s greatest pandemic; sin.

            He personally came into our world as a baby, lived among us, suffered with us and for us, that we might have everlasting life. And like a loving father, He reaches down and scoops us up into His arms and carries us close to His heart.