When was the last time you wept into your pillow at night, thinking no one cared? Is the pain so deep and your hurt so great that you cry night after night? In your misery and loneliness, do you think Jesus is emotionally detached? That He just doesn’t care? Or that He’s simply too busy to notice? Or that He is somewhat callous since He sees a lot of pain that’s worse than yours? Or that He couldn’t possibly understand how you feel? Or that He’s not concerned enough to meet your needs?
Did you know that Jesus weeps with you? Did you know He puts all your tears in a bottle because they are precious to Him? (Ps. 56:8, NKJV) He has said in all of your afflictions, He Himself is afflicted. Why? Because He understands! And He loves you!
Your suffering is His.
Your grief is His.
Your tears are on His face!
Exiled to the island of Patmos in the midst of the Aegean Sea, the apostle John knew he would be facing death in the not-too-distant future. This was the very moment in time when God chose to give John a vision of the glory of Jesus Christ! This vision included a tantalizing glimpse into Heaven, where one day God Himself will live forever with His people. This glorious vision has been recorded in the final book of the Bible, Revelation, because John was commanded to write down what he saw. The vision was to be not only for his own personal comfort and encouragement but for all people down through the centuries who, when facing daily challenges, extraordinary circumstances, or even when plunging to certain death, could do so with courage and with hope.
My Presence will go with you,
and I will give you rest.
Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the Lord your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you … The Lord, He is the One who goes before you. He will be with you, He will not leave you nor forsake you; do not fear nor be dismayed. § Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go. § In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.
He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” So we may boldly say: “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?” § Our sufficiency is from God.
Do not lead us into temptation. § O Lord, I know the way of man is not in himself; it is not in man who walks to direct his own steps. § My times are in Your hand.
Ex. 33:14; Deut. 31:6, 8; Josh. 1:9; Prov. 3:6;
Heb. 13:5–6; 2 Cor. 3:5; Matt. 6:13; Jer. 10:23; Ps. 31:15
Let us consider one another in order
to stir up love and good works.
How forceful are right words! § I stir up your pure minds by way of reminder.
Those who feared the Lord spoke to one another, and the Lord listened and heard them; so a book of remembrance was written before Him for those who fear the Lord and who meditate on His name. § If two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven.
The Lord God said, “It is not good that man should be alone.” § Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labor. For if they fall, one will lift up his companion. But woe to him who is alone when he falls, for he has no one to help him up.
Let us not … put a stumbling block or a cause to fall in our brother’s way. § Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ … [Consider] yourself lest you also be tempted.
Heb. 10:24; Job 6:25; 2 Peter 3:1; Mal. 3:16;
Matt. 18:19; Gen. 2:18; Eccl. 4:9–10; Rom. 14:13; Gal. 6:2, 1
I am with you to save you.
Shall the prey be taken from the mighty, or the captives of the righteous be delivered? But thus says the Lord: “Even the captives of the mighty shall be taken away, and the prey of the terrible be delivered; for I will contend with him who contends with you … All flesh shall know that I, the Lord, am your Savior, and your Redeemer, the Mighty One of Jacob. § Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.
We do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. § In that He Himself has suffered, being tempted, He is able to aid those who are tempted. § The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord, and He delights in his way. Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down; for the Lord upholds him with His hand.
Jer. 15:20; Isa. 49:24–26; 41:10; Heb. 4:15; 2:18; Ps. 37:23–24
He satisfies the longing soul, and
fills the hungry soul with goodness.
You have tasted that the Lord is gracious.
O God, You are my God; early will I seek You; my soul thirsts for You; my flesh longs for You in a dry and thirsty land where there is no water. So I have looked for You in the sanctuary, to see Your power and Your glory. § My soul longs, yes, even faints for the courts of the Lord; my heart and my flesh cry out for the living God. § Having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better.
I shall be satisfied when I awake in Your likeness. § They shall neither hunger anymore nor thirst anymore; the sun shall not strike them, nor any heat; for the Lamb who is in the midst of the throne will shepherd them and lead them to living fountains of waters. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes. § They are abundantly satisfied with the fullness of Your house, and You give them drink from the river of Your pleasures. § My people shall be satisfied with My goodness, says the Lord.”
Ps. 107:9; 1 Peter 2:3; Ps. 63:1–2; 84:2; Phil. 1:23;
Ps. 17:15; Rev. 7:16–17; Ps. 36:8; Jer. 31:14
The old clay pot was cracked, shattered, and broken. So the man took it to the Potter, Who broke it down even further, moistening the clay with water, making it soft and pliable before He put it on His wheel. Then He began to remake it into a vessel pleasing to Himself. He firmly applied pressure on some areas, touched lightly on other areas, added more clay to a specific spot that needed filling, and removed clay that hindered and marred the shape He had in mind. As He turned the wheel, His loving, gentle hands never left the clay as He molded and made it after His will.
Finally, the Potter was finished. He took what had once been a broken clay pot off the wheel, but now it was unrecognizable. It had been transformed into a vessel of beauty. The Potter put it in His showcase that others might see the revelation of His glory in the work that He does.
God is the Potter. You are His clay. How pliable are you to the soft, firm pressure of His touch?
