Mary worshipped proclaiming, “God’s mighty arm has done tremendous things! He scattered the proud and haughty. He dethroned princes and exalted the humble. He filled the hungry with good things and sent the rich away with empty hands and bellies. He helped his servant Israel and remembered to be merciful. For he made this promise to our ancestors, to Abraham and his children forever.” (pp 1:51–55)
Dear heavenly Father, I awoke today with a deep ache in my heart—an ache that makes Mary’s prayer timely and encouraging. I’m grateful for what you do and do not remember. I’m thrilled you’ll never remember our sins against us again. Hallelujah! I’m also grateful you remember every promise you have made—each which finds its “Yes” and fulfillment in Jesus. Another Hallelujah!, on my inner-achy Tuesday.
So what promises warm my heart on this 25-degree, frosty Franklin, TN morning? This ache will not become despair because you have promised that defeated evil (1Jn.3:8) will become eradicated evil on the perfect Day (Rev.21:1-5). We are SO ready to live in a world of no more brokenness, sin, and death—death of anyone and anything—dreams, hopes, pets.
We are primed to say “Sayonara!” to all mourning, crying and pain; all blaming, shaming, and ignoring; every fractured relationship and unfulfilled longing. Hasten the Day, Abba, of no more knowing in part (1Cor.13:9) and loving in part—no more contempt only kindness and compassion. For we will see Jesus as he is and we will be made 100% like him (1Jn.3:1-3). That’s when this ache will cease and we’ll never again cry out, “How long, Oh Lord?”
Until that Day, thank you for being the Father of mercies and God of all comfort (2Cor.1:3). Thank you for promising, and delivering, new mercies every morning, including this frosty achy one. So Very Amen
