“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you.” (Isa.43:1-2)
Lord Jesus, you love us so well in so many ways, and one of the main ways is through the Scriptures. Today, in particular, thank you for reminding us that suffering is a normal part of life on our way Home—normal but not ultimate.
In the ultimate category is the good news that we belong to you—body, soul, and spirit. As we are, and as we will be—our beauty and our brokenness, our cares and our crises… they all belong to you. Indeed, when you say to us, “you are mine,” hallelujah, it’s an all-inclusive claim.
Every day—no exceptions, you summon each of us by name, not by group. You call us to savor your truth, goodness, and beauty in the Gospel. In fellowship with you, the threatening “waters” and “rivers” of life are put into perspective. Hallelujah, no matter how fearful, confusing, threatening, and painful life can get, we’re just “passing through” the hard stuff. And the “hard stuff” isn’t worth comparing with the “glorious stuff” that awaits us (Rom.8:18).
“Passing through” means we’re going somewhere—not just anywhere. Jesus, by your doing and delight, we are in route to our wedding day and eternal feast of belonging to you. We’re in a parade of grace that will take us all the way into the new heaven and new earth. We get weary and antsy in the waiting, but you are on time all the time. Thank you, Jesus, and So Very Amen.