“Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” (Isaiah 41:10)
Lord Jesus, in a world of hard providences, broken people, unfinished stories, and us having zero control … it is a source of immeasurable peace to know you as the God of “I am’s” and “I will’s”—not might be’s, could be’s, or “we’ll-have-to-wait-and-see’s.” Outcomes belong to you as surely as heaven, earth, and history belong to you.
Advent reminds us that Abba didn’t exaggerate when he made promises about you being Immanuel—God with us, and God for us. The Gospel is the boldest and grandest declaration of just how “with” and “for” us you actually are, Jesus. And since Abba gave you—his beloved Son, to us and for us, surely we can trust him with and for everything else (Rom. 8:32).
We now live in you, Jesus, and under your reign of grace (Rom. 5:21)—not in fear and by the math of karma. You are good, you are sovereign, and you are ever so trustworthy as we …
- Trust you with a loved one’s diagnosis, surgery, and future.
- Surrender our expectations, anxieties, and whatever is fueling our anger.
- “Dance” in broken relationships while Christmas music is playing.
- Accept changes we did not choose and stories we would not have written.
- Humble ourselves, repent, and take responsibility.
Jesus, we abandon ourselves to you right now as this day begins, is half over, or the sun is setting. We absolutely love the two “I am’s” and three “I will’s” of Isaiah 41:10. You promise big stuff that only you can and you will “pull off.” Hallelujah, and So Very Amen.