The God Who Feels Your Pain and Faces the Storm with You

Daily Devotional – Tuesday, November 23, 2021

In all their affliction He was afflicted, and the Angel of His Presence saved them. In His love and in His pity, He redeemed them and He bore them and carried them all the days of old.

Isaiah 63:9 (NKJV)

As a father, I often participate in the not-so-pleasant activity of disciplining my children. For me to instill godly and noble values and behaviour in my little ones, I put away my smile and wear a stern face.

There are moments when I give my children an unpleasant task, but which I know will help fight vices and instill virtues in them. Sometimes, my style of correction is so tough on the young ones; I end up helping them to complete the punishment.

While I am the one who allows the children to go through these tough experiences (for their own good), I feel their suffering. I empathize with them. Their pain is my pain, but instead of taking away the punishment, I work alongside them, urging them to finish the task.

God and His Rebellious Children

My experience mirrors, in a smaller way, that of God, when dealing with the Israelites, as recorded by Prophet Isaiah. God’s people were habitually rebellious, hence attracting His wrath. To bring the Jews to their senses, God would allow the surrounding nations to oppress His children.  

However, like the loving Father He is, God did not abandon His children. “In all their affliction He was afflicted, and the Angel of His Presence saved them. In His love and in His pity, He redeemed them, and He bore them and carried them all the days of old.” (Isaiah 63:9).

Can you feel God’s pain when King Nebuchadnezzar carried the Jews into exile? It galled Jehovah to watch His children in chains, brutalized and mocked. Even though the Jews were suffering because of their own sins, God felt the pain personally.

How could God not feel their agony when His Presence was with them in their darkest moments? Out of His infinite love, the Lord saved a remnant of those who obeyed and trusted Him. He bore them and carried them all the days of old.

Where is God When I Suffer?

Have you ever felt as if your pain was too much; that God did not understand you? When in dire need, do you ask God why He does not care that you are suffering? How many times have you imagined God as only being interested in your suffering?

The next time such thoughts come into your mind, remember God suffers when you suffer. Never forget that when he allows trials in your life, He has a good reason for it. He wants you to grow and mature as a Christian. Don’t despair, God is with you in the storm.

Loving and Caring Father, thank you because You know and feel my pain and You have good intentions in allowing me to go through unpleasant experiences.