For I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that He is able to guard until that day what has been entrusted to me. 2 Timothy 1:12.
In this way, love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment, because in this world we are like Him. There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. 1 John 4:17-18.
I will brighten the darkness before them and smooth out the road ahead of them. Yes, I will indeed do these things; I will not forsake them. Isaiah 42:16.
And continuing our 351 Old Testament prophecies, promises of God, fulfilled in Jesus Christ, we come to number 166: When Isaiah saw His glory. Isaiah 6:1: In the year of King Uzziah’s death I saw the LORD sitting on a throne, lofty and exalted, with the train of His robe filling the temple. And, John 12:40-41: “He has blinded their eyes and He hardened their heart, so that they would not see with their eyes and perceive with their heart, and be converted and I heal them.” These things Isaiah said because He saw His glory, and he spoke of Him.
In our Friday Zoom retreat I encountered problems with my audio and video. They were watching a video by John Ortberg that I could hear. While I was trying to bring the video on the screen, I missed a great deal of what Ortberg said but when I finally was able to be with everyone and be seen and heard, I heard him say that the meaning of suffering is the fruit you bear. And beyond our capacity, yours and mine, rely on God. One of our group shared the title was Attentive to God Helps In Suffering. It is as we ourselves suffer that we can be compassionate toward others who also suffer. Suffering is real and it is painful. As we reach the end of our capacity, God is there. He helps us see by the fruit of His love that He brings to light, a meaning and purpose for all we cannot now understand until we walk with Him as He walks with us. His Presence is our comfort and hope. We find our meaning in Him.
I couldn’t help but think about all the suffering in our world today in every facet of life. I couldn’t help but marvel at the connection we in our small Zoom group bring knowing how much we all of us are loved by a loving, compassionate Creator – Father, Son, Spirit. There is a song I thought of when one of our group shared that someone said to her that Jesus still bore the scars in His hands after His resurrection, and that she could feel those scarred hands cradling her face which brought a deeper more profound understanding of His love. In the song by Casting Crowns the words are: “The only scars in heaven, they won’t belong to me and you. There’ll be no such thing as broken and all the old will be made new. And the thought that makes me smile now even as the tears fall down is that the only scars in heaven are on the Hands that hold you now.”
When we yearn for something deeper and more profound God gives Himself. His love then opens up within us – in ways we never knew – what was always there. And with Him with us, hope emerges. It is a beautiful knowing. It’s like coming into clear light after fumbling in darkness.
***FIRE IN MY SOUL – Holy Spirit, powerful consoler, sacred bond of the Father and the Son, hope of the afflicted, descend into my heart and establish in it Your loving dominion. Kindle in my tepid soul the fire of Your love so that I may be wholly subject to You. We believe that when You dwell in us, You also prepare a dwelling for the Father and the Son. Deign, therefore, to come to me, consoler of the abandoned souls and protector of the needy. Help the afflicted, strengthen the weak, and support the wavering. Come and purify me. Let no evil desire take possession of me. You love the humble and resist the proud. Come to me, glory of the living and hope of the dying. Lead me by Your grace that I may always be pleasing to You. Amen. Augustine of Hippo (AD 354-430).***
