DAILY?READINGS: 2 Chronicles 33; Daniel 1; 1 John 3
The plowers plowed upon my back: they made long their furrows. Psalm 129:3
In today’s verse, the Holy Spirit foretells our Lord’s scourging. It was a horrific cruelty. The word “long” indicates that there was no part of His back left untouched. The use of the term “furrow” suggests the depth and harshness of each stroke. The wonder of it is that He willingly allowed this torture to happen. “I gave my back to the smitters” (Isa. 50:6). How humbling. It is hard to know what to say. This terrible suffering wasn’t for His sins but ours. Marvellous Saviour, blessed Man of Calvary. Is He your Saviour? —Vernon Markle
Thy cords of love, my Saviour, bind me to Thee forever,
I am no longer mine. To Thee I gladly tender,
All that my life can render, and all I have to Thee resign.
—Paul Gerhardt