Thirty - Seventh Mountain Peak
"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 hare them, and carried them all the days of old." Isaiah 63:9
"IN ALL THEIR afflictions He was afflicted". This is another high peak of salvation. Whatever our afflictions, hardships, sorrow and sufferings are. our Lord suffers with us. As believers if we suffer with Him, we shall reign with Him and He also shares and bears our burden. That is why He said: "You bear my yoke upon you", as in Matt. 11:29. "Take my yoke upon you and learn of me" Generally two bullocks are used to drag a cart, and the bull on the right hand side has to carry the weight, and bear the burden, which is a great strain. When a field is to be ploughed the bull that has to bear the weight and strain is put on the right side. Likewise with our Lord Jesus Christ, the weight of our burden is borne by Him, so we are yoked together to bear the yoke. Whenever we suffer the Lord suffers. Whenever you are sorrowful, He bears your sorrow. When you are weeping He weeps, whenever you are hungry, He is hungry. What a ministry! Our Lord says "In all their afflictions He was afflicted". For the very same reason our Lord Jesus refused to take part in the heavenly feast unless we were with Him.
Imagine that first Easter morning when the Lord Jesus went to heaven after conquering death, sin and the devil. and there He was welcomed by angels as the Lord of Hosts and the King of glory. Psalm 24:7 shows us how the angels received Him in heaven. They acclaimed: "The Lord is strong and mighty: the Lord mighty in battle and the King of glory".
When a King conquers in battle, he is given a great feast by the people. Here the Lord Jesus Christ is being invited by the angels to their heavenly feast, and they say to Him "You are the Mighty King, and you have won a very great battle and conquered Satan single-handed; come. Lord Jesus, to our Feast." But the Lord Jesus says: "No, thank you. I won't lake part in the feast until my children come with me to heaven, then we will rejoice together". With love and longing He is waiting for that day. A good mother saves good things for her children who are in a hostel and are expected for Easter or Christmas. Thank God for such good mothers. Here the Lord says: "I will wait for you and I will suffer with you; do not think you are suffering alone." Because of this, while upon the earth we can bear any suffering or trouble joyfully- Our Lord is on our side and bears our trials and difficulties and burdens. Thus in extreme suffering, God's presence is felt all the more. I have found it so again and again. When there are difficult problems to solve and when we go to pray, I find a peculiar joy in God's presence. He is very very near at that time, saying: "Yes. My son, I am going to share your burdens. Don't worry, let Me share your burdens and problems" (Isa. 63:9). His unseen angels protect us from many unseen attacks of the enemy.
So many of God's people have been saved from serious accidents. Last year I was in Holland staying with a friend of mine, and he had a serious car accident. He was travelling at high speed, at about fifty miles per hour. In order to save a man in front, he turned round, and turned too much, so that he was thrown out and the car was smashed; but there was no fracture, and no serious wounds. He should have had many bones broken, and all who came on that spot. and even the doctor said that it was the Lord who saved him. Such has been the case with many. God's angels are there to protect them from seen and unseen accidents. This is a wonderful peak of salvation.