Episode 58: Revelation 21:3-4

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Transcription

Before we pray today, I want to remind you about my book: Yes, Father: A Daughter’s Journey to Forgiveness. I’d love to read a review someone left for the book that encompasses so much of what I hope for everyone who reads it.

This book shares what it truly is to love, even when you have to dig deep. The author’s journey through childhood memories emphasize how complicated a family truly can be, the different ties we make, and the way we can grow despite it all. I really enjoyed how she moved chronologically back and forth through her life, glimpses telling a much larger picture. In her growth she moves, too, from sibling squabbles to lasting relationships, from heartbreak to a deep reflection on what it is to love someone who may not love you back. There is also self-love and growth in her faith as she takes the harder path of caretaker. It’s a beautiful look on a life.

As someone who has been a caretaker, this was spot-on in how difficult things can be; anyone who has been a caretaker will find a friend in these pages, someone else who knows what it is to give and give even when the well seems dry. As someone who’s wrestled with faith, I found a friend here, too, as even those who stand firm in their faith must ask questions when the going gets hard.

I enjoyed this book and highly recommend it to everyone, no matter what path of life you’re on. We’re all on a journey; sometimes it’s a good reminder that others are, too.

That really blessed me. Thank you to whoever wrote that.

You can pick up your copy today by going to my website www.ja-sellers.com

Now on to the prayer!

Today’s verse is Revelation 21:3-4

I heard a loud shout from the throne, saying, “Look, God’s home is now among His people! He will live with them, and they will be His people. God Himself will be with them.He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.”

Let’s pray together.

God, thank You that You have a plan. You did not abandon us when we sinned against You. As humans, we would expect nothing less considering our betrayal, but You had a plan from before creation, before the fall, and it was for our redemption. The Trinity agreed to the sacrifice of Jesus, and what a potent and precious gift. Thank You so much.

Not only do You have a plan, but You have let us in on every step along the way. You gave us hope from the first pages of Your word to the last. Every line is designed to let us know that You care about us and You think about us and You have a home for us.

You dwell within our hearts, Jesus, and we don’t have to worry about sacrifices or being unfit to enter into Your presence. Your true sacrifice has wiped away that necessity and we rejoice in the intimacy of our connection with You. We are giddy at the thought of spending eternity with You. True, we cannot understand how that will actually work, but we need only focus on You, and that is all we need.

God, I know I will go through many trials before the promise in Your word comes fully true. Help me to endure. Help me to persevere. When I am fallen, help me get back up. When I am overwhelmed, be the lifter of my head. I can so easily become self-focused, a tyrant of independence and control, the self-proclaimed master of my fate, but help me to remember that is not true. Enable me to understand, with true humility, exactly who I am to You.

Help me to realize that it’s not up to me to create a home for myself. You have already done so. I spin around, grasping for people, for comfort, for stability, for anything to make me happy in the moment. But, Jesus, teach me the joy of forever, an ever-flowing geyser of life that has its source in You and You alone. When I am parched, let it be my refreshing.

Show me the joy of Your presence, how wonderful it is to dwell with You. I am disappointed by myself, by all others, but remind me that You will never disappoint me. You will not let me down. You will be all that I could ever hope for and more. And You will help me to be good to You, to be a person created to worship You and fulfill the plans and purposes You have for me. You will show me how to be loved, without performance, without effort, without failure.

Spirit, reveal to me how it will be, an everlasting communion with You. That I won’t have to search for You. That You will be a tangible Presence that I have no words to describe, but all desire to hold on to. I want to feel what it’s like being with You forever. I want every second to taste like a permanent union of peace. And You have promised this. Help me to anticipate it well.

Thank You, Father, that You are so good to us. That You have designed us to be with You, that You will save us from all hurt and heal us of all wounds. One day, we will not be damaged and broken, but restored and renewed in the fullness of love. We will not experience loss or sadness or weeping or agony. All this is washed away in Your mighty victory, Your ineffable ways. Oh, lovely lovely day.

When I stand before You, Jesus, I want to be able to say that You were LORD of my life, that You were always at the forefront of my mind. I want to feel and know how powerfully You worked in me when I was on this earth. All possible only through You. So guide me, dear Spirit, enable me to hear Your voice. Lead me toward You and only You. When I seek to want something else or get distracted or become enraged or saddened, show me You.

Father, what we want is Your hand on our cheeks, soaking up each salt tear, compassion pouring forth from your abundant heart. Tenderly whisper to us Your love. Enact Your promise that those things are gone forever. We never have to deal with them again. Our enemy is defeated. You are our Savior. We are safe and always will be. What a glorious image to hold in our hearts until the reality is fulfilled. Show us every day, every hour, every minute. Let this be the strong badge of courage we wear in our daily lives, the lifeline of our faltering steps and weary hands.

Be our home, God. For all of us today, no matter where we are or what is happening around us. Even now.

I pray this in Jesus’ name. Amen.