But because of His great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions – it is by grace you have been saved. Ephesians 2:4-5.

“I indeed baptize you with water . . . but He . . . will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.” Matthew 3:11.

And continuing our 351 Old Testament prophecies, promises of God, fulfilled in Jesus Christ, we come to number 120: Hated without a cause. Psalm 69:4: Those who hate me without a cause are more than the hairs of my head; those who would destroy me are powerful, being wrongfully my enemies; what I did not steal, I then have to restore. And, John 15:25: “But they have done this to fulfill the word that is written in their Law, ‘They hated Me without a cause.’”

There is a photo of a beautiful painting by the artist Morgan Weistling titled “Kissing the Face of God” that sits above my computer. It shows Mary holding Jesus, the Son, Creator God, as He was then as a baby in her arms.

Do we ever think about the trust Creator God – Father, Son, Spirit, showed in us – His children – as He chose to be born of a woman, one of us? Do we ever consider the love for us expressed in that vulnerability? Not a woman of noble birth. A very young woman living the life He later expressed as blessed in the Beatitudes. If He can trust us that much, can we trust Him? If He can love us that much, can we love Him? But because of His great love for us – God – who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ – even when we were dead in our transgressions – it is by grace you have been saved.

I think about all of that as I look at our world today. The frantic pushing of ways that are not helping anyone and are causing great harm. And we wonder why we don’t have peace and prosperity for all.

God who is rich in mercy made us alive with Christ. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. What He did not steal – He restores. For it was the Father’s good pleasure for all the fullness to dwell in Him, and through Him to reconcile all things to Himself, having made peace through the blood of His cross; through Him, I say, whether things on earth or things in heaven. And although you were formerly alienated and hostile in mind, engaged in evil deeds, yet He has now reconciled you in His fleshly body through death, in order to present you before Him holy and blameless and beyond reproach – if indeed you continue the faith firmly established and steadfast, and not moved away from the hope of the gospel that you have heard, which was proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and of which I, Paul, was made a minister. Colossians 1:19-23. Can we savor those words? Faith firmly established and steadfast – hope. The love of Creator God for us, His children dearly loved.

***DEPRESSION – Dear LORD, You are the One who created me and the One who has provided for my salvation and for my spiritual growth. I firmly believe that You are a great God who loves me very much and that You know where I am going and what is good for me. I humbly beseech You now, dear LORD, because I am confused, struggling, and hurting in pain. I am afraid and discouraged. I feel lost and very depressed. Let me feel Your loving care and compassion. Let me feel Your sense of purpose and understand Your will for me in this crisis. LORD, You are my refuge, my hope, and my stronghold in this very difficult time of my life. I lean on You and confidently put my trust in You, for I know that You will not forsake me. I pray that You will let time heal this wound and that I will become a better person because of Your work in me in this crisis. Amen. Presence, 68. Adapted.***