The 2nd Friday in Lent 2019

Because of your indignation and anger; for you have taken me up and thrown me down. Psalm 102:10

In the walk of faith in Jesus Christ, it is not individualistic.

We walk in Christ as His Church.

Sometimes, in order to grow, pruning by the Lord occurs upon us as the Church.

That pruning is painful, but is necessary to bear good fruit. That pruning is as if we are taken up and thrown down.

This is not a permanent state, but temporary.

Just as it takes pruned limbs time to heal, so too do we heal.

Our Lord Jesus Christ was taken up on the Cross and thrown down into the earth for three days, dead for our transgressions.

It did not end there as we know. Jesus was raised up from the dead on the third day.

The same is true of us as we go through this life, thrown down and raised up anew in all Christ accomplished for us. The Lord sanctifies us to grow in Him. Yes, it hurts. In the end of the season, we are stronger in Christ.

Prayer.

Dear Heavenly Father, help us through even the harshest of times to know you are at work. Help us to know the presence of your Dear Son through these seasons. Enable us to glorify you alone through all our afflictions, through Jesus Christ. Amen.