“He (Jesus) will quiet you with his love.” (Zephaniah 3:17).
Dear Lord Jesus, thank you. Many of us know what it means to be silenced without being quieted. Many of us know what it means to lose both voice and heart. Many of us have no words as we begin this new week. But we have plenty of noise inside us, loud restlessness, and high-decibel disquiet. So come and quiet our hearts with your love. Calm our chaos with your steadfast affection and fear-expelling kindness.
Help us get still … and know afresh that you are God. Not just any “god”—but ruler of things above heaven, in heaven, on the earth, and under the earth. For some of us, we need to know this reality as America elects a new president this week. Jesus, as Prince of Peace, please center and settle us.
Our anger shows how little we trust you. Our “us-versus-them-ness” shows how little we know you. Like Joshua, forgive us for asking, “Are you for us, or for our adversaries?” (Joshua 5:13)—as though you are picking sides, or are a star athlete we want on our “team,” or worse, as though we think of ourselves as the good guys, more deserving than others. Your answer is the same, “Neither” (Jos.5:14). As captain of the Lord’s army, you are Lord and lover of all God’s children—no matter how or if they vote.
For others of us—the presidential election is way down the list—maybe 5th on a list of 7 concerns. Some of us need to be quieted by your love because we have a child with a tumor, or a marriage with “cancer,” or a slow memory that is making us wonder if we have dementia … and the list goes on. Jesus, may your love bring heaven-designed quiet each of us needs this week. So Very Amen.
