“Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10
Heavenly Father, in a world of broken people, challenging circumstances, and unfinished stories, it’s a source of immeasurable peace to know you as the “God of hope” (Rom.15:13). You specialize in “will be’s”—not “might be’s” “could be’s”, or “oughta be’s.” Outcomes belong to you as surely as heaven and earth, angels and us.
We live under your reign of grace, not by the math of karma. Because of Jesus’ empty tomb and occupied throne, we don’t live by crossing our fingers in hope, but by lifting our hands in worship. Abba, you are good and you are sovereign over all things, all the time, no exceptions. That doesn’t make everything easy, but it sure means we are loved. Even if today includes…
- Canceled or delayed flights to a friend in crisis.
- Driving to get an unexpected bone marrow test.
- News about our children that weigh our hearts down.
- Changes we didn’t choose and stories we would not script.
- Rain on our “parade” when we really need, sun and a low dew point.
Father, we abandon ourselves to you right now. It’s actually good to be out of bootstraps to pull up, for it makes the Gospel necessary not “nice”—essential not optional. We absolutely love the two “I am’s” and three “I will’s” of Isaiah 41:10. You promise big stuff that only you can and will do. Thank you, Abba. So Very Amen we pray, in Jesus’ most worship-worthy name.
