The word 'hell' gets used flippantly, but be reminded what it means to be forsaken by God. Read / Listen Listen to passage & devotional: Heidelberg Catechism Q&A 44 Q. Why does the creed add, “He descended to hell”? A. To assure me in times of personal crisis and temptation that Christ my Lord, by suffering unspeakable anguish, pain, and terror of soul, especially on the cross but also earlier, has delivered me from the anguish and torment of hell. Summary It was around three in the afternoon when the depth of Jesus’ suffering was displayed as he cried out “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” Jesus’ cry is a fulfillment of Psalm 22, which begins with the very same words written by David hundreds of years earlier, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” By the time of Jesus’ distress-filled cry, he had already suffered greatly. In addition to the physical pain, being crucified was physically exhausting. Hanging from nail pierced wrists severely restricts one’s breathing and circulation. Those hung on a cross would use their feet to push up slightly, allowing them the ability to take a breath. Often the cause of death of one crucified was either from exhaustion itself or suffocating because the condemned no longer held the strength necessary to push himself up to draw the next breath. It was Jesus in this tired and weary state who cried out to God. The words he spoke were misunderstood by some as him calling out to Elijah, since the words sound similar (Eli... Eli...). However, Jesus’ cry was not for Elijah, but for God the Father, to whom Jesus cried out in his distress, only to receive no answer. Dig Deeper It was not until later that the disciples understood that at the point of Jesus’ suffering when he cried out, that Christ was enduring the wrath of God’s judgment on sin. Dying by crucifixion was a painful and humiliating way to die, strung out for all to see in your suffering. However, the true suffering of the cross was not the physical toll on Jesus’ body. Far greater than the agony of the nails was Jesus taking upon himself the full wrath of God towards unrighteousness. In taking upon himself the consequences of sin, Jesus saves you and all who believe from having to face the same type of hellish anguish and torment. Truly there is nothing that we could offer that would come close to repaying Jesus for the cost he paid on our behalf. What we can do is live for Him, taking upon ourselves the same attitude that Paul expressed to the Philippians in our devotion on Wednesday, “for me to live is Christ.” AAA Prayer (About) ACKNOWLEDGE WHO GOD IS: Father God, who will never forsake His children who come to Him through Christ; ALIGN YOUR LIFE WITH GOD'S WILL: Thank God that Jesus went through hell for you and pray that you will now live for Him. ASK GOD FOR WHAT YOU NEED: Read the New Testament in a year, a chapter a day - Matthew 12

4   But with you there is forgiveness, so that we can, with reverence, serve you. 5  I wait for the LORD Unconditional Election Point 2 - Limited Atonement Point 3 - Total Depravity Point 4 - Irresistible Grace Point 5 Flee for refuge to Christ crucified: 4   But with you there is forgiveness... 5   I wait for the LORD Let your ears be attentive to my cry for mercy. 5  I wait for the LORD, my whole being waits and

Corinthians 1:4–9 (NIV) 4   I always thank my God for you because of his grace given you in Christ Jesus. 5   Unconditional Election Point 2 - Limited Atonement Point 3 - Total Depravity Point 4 - Irresistible Grace Point 5 Today: 1 Peter 5

death's shadow],  I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. 5  Unconditional Election Point 2 - Limited Atonement Point 3 - Total Depravity Point 4 - Irresistible Grace Point 5 Summary Today's Summary section is a repost from April 10, 2024 Psalm 23 is certainly on any top 5 list

Today's passage helps form the basis for the classic hymn Not What My Hands Have Done (especially v4-5) Unconditional Election Point 2 - Limited Atonement Point 3 - Total Depravity Point 4 - Irresistible Grace Point 5

soundness in my bones because of my sin. 4   My guilt has overwhelmed me like a burden too heavy to bear. 5   Unconditional Election Point 2 - Limited Atonement Point 3 - Total Depravity Point 4 - Irresistible Grace Point 5 - Perseverance of the Saints Article 5: The Effects of Serious Sins By such monstrous sins [that saints

them what he did to Sihon and Og, the kings of the Amorites, whom he destroyed along with their land. 5   Unconditional Election Point 2 - Limited Atonement Point 3 - Total Depravity Point 4 - Irresistible Grace Point 5 - Perseverance of the Saints Article 5: The Effects of Serious Sins By such monstrous sins [that saints

5   Why did you bring us up out of Egypt to this terrible place? Unconditional Election Point 2 - Limited Atonement Point 3 - Total Depravity Point 4 - Irresistible Grace Point 5 it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it” (Isa. 55 Today: John 5

were by nature deserving of wrath. 4  But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5   in the sending of Jesus Christ 3 - The Preaching of the Gospel 4 - A Twofold Response to the Gospel 5 Today: Acts 5

be glad and sing for joy, for you rule the peoples with equity and guide the nations of the earth. 5   point comes in the middle]: v1–2 pray for blessing that leads to the nations knowing God’s salvation v3–5