“Behold, I create new heavens and a new earth… Be glad and rejoice forever in that which I create; for behold, I create Jerusalem to be a joy, and her people to be a gladness. I will rejoice in Jerusalem and be glad in my people.” Isa.65:17-19
“I will never stop doing good to them … I will rejoice in doing good to them and will assuredly plant them in this land with all my heart and soul.” Jer.32:40-41
Lord Jesus, I’m starting my day in Billings, Montana, with a group of your beloved people, who will soon ponder all the beauty, joy and hope you have crammed into these Scriptures. By your Spirit, help us realize these promises are to be taken at face and faith value. You really are this good, loving, and joyful to each of us.
By your first coming, you accomplished everything necessary to redeem us and make us your own. You took our sin on the cross, and clothed us in your righteousness by your resurrection. You love us right now as much as you ever will, and delight in us as fully as you will on the Day you return. The Gospel is this true, good, and beautiful.
And now, you are at work in our hearts and all creation to complete the work you have begun. And according to these passages, you take great joy in making us like yourself and in making all things new. In fact, you will never stop doing good to us—and what you do, you do with all your “heart and soul.”
Jesus, this is so revolutionary, counter-intuitive, and freeing. You intend for us to think of our growth in grace, our healing, and sanctification as the domain for experiencing more of your loving heart and great joy. O Jesus, we believe you, but we want to believe this a whole lot more. Help us, Lord. So Very Amen.