See how great a love the Father has bestowed on us, that we would be called children of God; for such we are. 1 John 3:1.

But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8.

Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. John 3:6.

“I have called you friends.” John 15:15. “Peace I leave with you; My peace I give you.” John 14:27.

And continuing our 351 Old Testament prophecies, promises of God, fulfilled in Jesus Christ, we come to number 123: Messiah’s anguish of soul before crucifixion. Psalm 69:14-20: Deliver me from the mire and do not let me sink; may I be delivered from my foes and from the deep waters. May the flood of water not overflow me nor the deep swallow me up, nor the pit shut its mouth on me. Answer me, O LORD, for Your lovingkindness is good; according to the greatness of Your compassion, turn to me, and do not hide Your face from Your servant, for I am in distress; answer me quickly. Oh draw near to my soul and redeem it; ransom me because of my enemies! You know my reproach and my shame and my dishonor; all my adversaries are before You. Reproach has broken my heart and I am so sick. And I looked for sympathy, but there was none. And for comforters, but I found none. And, Matthew 26:36-45: Then Jesus came with them to a place called Gethsemane, and said to His disciples, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” And He took with Him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be grieved and distressed. Then He said to them, “My soul is deeply grieved, to the point of death; remain here and keep watch with Me.” And He went a little beyond them, and fell on His face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; yet not as I will, but as You will.” And He came to the disciples and found them sleeping, and said to Peter, “So, you men could not keep watch with Me for one hour? Keep watching and praying that you may not enter into temptation; the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” He went away again a second time and prayed, saying, “My Father, if this cannot pass away unless I drink it, Your will be done.” Again He came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were heavy. And He left them again, and went away and prayed a third time, saying the same thing once more. Then He came to the disciples and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? Behold, the hour is at hand and the Son of Man is being betrayed into the hands of sinners.”

I have been thinking a lot lately about the state of my own heart and the heart of our world. In Matthew 24 the disciples asked Jesus when would the end come and He warned them of many things including that because lawlessness is increased, most people’s love will grow cold. I think of our age today and it feels like one of condemnation. We are so very quick to judge and condemn. That’s why we need the Scripture verses cited above, not just for our own weary hearts but for the hearts of all people so desperately in need of God’s love and the hope His love brings. We can pray for people lost in lawlessness and waywardness – or – we can join the multitudes whose hearts growing cold no longer know God’s love for us. Jesus came that we would know the Father’s heart of love and the hope His love brings. Jesus will return. His heart is the same. “Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, the way a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were unwilling. Behold, your house is being left to you desolate! For I say to you, from now on you will not see Me until you say, ‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the LORD!’” Matthew 23:37-39. Can we let our own hearts trust God for everything needed? Because as we trust God, what a difference is made in us and our own hearts! Instead of judging and condemning, let us pray for every person so in need of God’s love because isn’t that truly God’s own heart for us?

***DISAPPOINTMENT – Looking out from my hurt, it’s hard to see clearly. They say they want to be friends. I’ve become slow to believe them – their words are spoken without action. How can I get past this? Counsel and instruct me, O LORD, for You know me. I don’t claim to be faultless, yet I cannot discern clearly, and the path to change is unclear. Counsel and instruct me, O LORD, my God, the One who knows the confusion of my heart. Years of feeling rejected or loved only because You command it of them have taken their toll. I search eagerly for new relationships, a partnership with me in You, someone with whom I can be one in heart as Jonathan was with David – or, at least, where there is constancy. Help me also to be what I desire of others. How can I hope for what I am not giving? Mend and repair me, Father. Fill me with Your joy – the joy of Your fellowship, for without it, I have nothing in myself to give to others. May I find delight in Your love, and smile as Your precious child. Lisa Sawhill (Athens, Georgia), personal prayer, 2020.***