I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. John 14:18
But when the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under law, to redeem those under law, that we might receive the full rights of sons. Because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba, Father.” So you are no longer a slave, but a son; and since you are a son, God has made you also an heir. Galatians 4:4-7
Lord Jesus, thank you for these incredible promises of pursuit and presence—your pledge to love us with filial affection, far beyond our imaging. There are moments, days… even much longer stretches… when I begin to think, feel and live as though I am still an orphan—as though I don’t really have a heavenly Father who loves me deeply… one who is involved in every detail of my life.
When I get sucked back into this downward spiral, my spirit shrinks and my fears enlarge. Trust and rest say “Bye-bye” and my control issues say, “We’re back!” I get defensive and I go on the offensive. In short, I’m no fun be around.
Instead of the aroma of the gospel, I start exuding the smell of a waif. Instead of taking things to the cross, I start taking things personally. Instead of your peace ruling as an umpire in my heart, my long “to do list” keeps racing through my head. I sleep less and stew more. Instead of living “palms up” in gratitude and surrender, I live tight fisted, trying to micro-manage the wind.
Jesus, enough of my generalities… I repent. I smell like an orphan this morning. I wish there was a button I could push or a switch I could throw and all of the sudden “snap out of it.” There’s no such shortcut, but there is repentant faith and the resources of the gospel… along with much needed rest and refreshment.
Jesus, you haven’t left me as an orphan. You came to us through the gift of the Holy Spirit—the Spirit of Adoption… the very Spirit by which we now cry, “Abba, Father!” You never have and never will abandon us. Right now, I abandon myself to you and to the riches of your grace. And as one hour gives way to the next, may the power of the gospel recharge my drained heart. So very Amen, I pray, in your loving name with longing expectancy.
