He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.

I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress; my God, in Him I will trust.”

Psalm 91:1-2

Dr. Berry Bishop, Assistant Professor and Director of Spiritual Formation at the Talbot School of Theology writes this about suffering in this morning’s Lent Project devotional:

“Scripture speaks to suffering often, and gives us an incredible response in the person of Jesus. The response to suffering is not a mantra, a three-step guide, or a pill but is found instead in relationship with the Lord. In our suffering the Lord invites us to be with Him. Just as Christ sought God in His own suffering, “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will” (Matthew 25:39), we too have a God who invites us to come to Him with our pain and suffering. In the midst of immense suffering, pain, and sorrow Jesus leans into His relationship with God and models for us how to bring our suffering to God the Father even in the most desperate of times. Just as Jesus turned to the Father, we too are invited to hold fast to Him––to call Him by name––to call Him “Abba! Daddy!””

“Abba, You have proven by the death and redemption of Jesus Christ that you desire to be with me. You love me. You want to be with me in every area of my life, including the areas of pain and suffering. Father, may I lean into You–into the shadow of your wings–into the palm of Your hand.
Amen.”