MARCH 31

“And Rizpah the daughter of Aiah took sackcloth, and spread it for her upon the rock, from the beginning of harvest until water dropped upon them out of heaven, and suffered neither the birds of the air to rest on them by day nor the beasts of the field by night.”
(2 Samuel 21:10)

If the love of a mother for her slain sons could compel her to maintain such a mournful vigil for an extended period, should we not devote ourselves to contemplating the sufferings of our blessed Lord?

Rizpah drove away the scavenging birds. Should we not also chase away the worldly and sinful thoughts that corrupt both our minds and the sacred subjects we ponder? Away with you, birds of evil wing! Leave the sacrifice alone!

She endured the heat of summer, the dews of night, and the rain, all unsheltered and alone. Sleep was driven from her weeping eyes; her heart was too full for slumber. Behold how she loved her children!

If Rizpah could bear such hardship, how can we waver at the slightest inconvenience or trial? Are we so cowardly that we cannot endure suffering for the sake of our Lord? She faced even the wild beasts, displaying a courage uncommon for her time. Will we not also be prepared to confront every foe for Jesus’ sake? These children were slain by others, yet she wept and stood vigil. What should be our response, we who have crucified our Lord through our sins? Our obligations are boundless; our love should be fervent, and our repentance thorough.

To watch with Jesus should be our mission, to protect His honor our duty, and to abide at His cross our source of comfort. Those lifeless bodies may have terrified Rizpah, especially at night, but at the foot of our Lord’s cross, there is nothing horrifying—only everything that draws us near. Never has living beauty been so captivating as the sight of a dying Savior.

Jesus, we will watch with You a while longer, and graciously unveil Yourself to us; then we shall not sit beneath sackcloth, but in a royal pavilion.