“I sought the Lord, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears. Those who look to Jesus for help will be radiant with joy and no shadow of shame will darken their faces.” Psalm 34:4-5
Lord Jesus, thank you 10,000 times over for the good news contained in this passage. Like all Scripture—you fulfill it. In our bouts with fear and shame, we are way too slow to look to you. Why? That’s what shame does—we fear making “eye contact and we fear being seen. But you always and only greet us with compassion, mercy, and grace upon grace—always.
You know everything we know about ourselves, Jesus—and the other 98.6% as well. It’s not that you keep record—but you know all the ways we think, speak, and act in ways that contradict your perfect love. It’s not that you’ve grown indifferent to our brokenness; it’s that you’re never less than our wonderful, merciful Savior. Hallelujah!
Because we are yours, we have zero unforgiven sins. We no longer wear the burden of guilt but the robe of your righteousness. We no longer live in the shadow of shame but in the light of your delight. We have nothing to prove just your grace to enjoy. An even bigger Hallelujah! than the last one.
Hasten the Day when we’ll never again be tempted to sin, doubt your love, and under-believe the Gospel. Rush-deliver the Day we’ll be “radiant with joy” perpetually—not just occasionally. Put the “pedal to the metal,” finish making all things new, and usher in the new heaven and new earth. We are SO ready to be like you and with you, Lord Jesus. So Very Amen.
