iCrucified

Beautiful Consolation:

Listen to my cry for help, my King and my God,
for I pray to no one but you. –Psalm 5:2

⁹ I have called you back from the ends of the earth,
saying, ‘You are my servant.’
For I have chosen you
and will not throw you away.
¹⁰ Don’t be afraid, for I am with you.
Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you.
I will hold you up with my victorious right hand. –Isaiah 41:9-10

I am beautifully consoled… I am strengthened and upheld by the One who holds the universe. The same One who speaks into existence cosmic fire and black holes whispers sweet words of affirmation and comfort to me. The same One who measures the universe between the span of his forefinger and thumb is not so big or busy that He does not stoop to “hug” me. The same One who chooses rulers, kings, and presidents places no less value in my purpose and calling; He comforts me saying, “Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you.”

I was comforted this morning and affirmed with the words of Francois Fenelon who writes unabashedly about the cost and reward for complete abandonment to our Lord.

Abandon yourself to God. You will suffer; but you will suffer with love, peace, and consolation. You will fight, but you can carry off the victory, and God Himself, after having fought with you, will crown you with His own hand. You will weep, but your tears will be sweet; and God Himself will come with satisfaction to dry them. You will not be free any longer to give yourself up to your tyrannic passions, but you will sacrifice your liberty freely, and you will enter into a new liberty unknown to the world, in which you will do nothing except love. –Francois Fenelon

How amazing are the deeds of the LORD! All who delight in Him should ponder them. Everything He does reveals His glory and majesty. His righteousness never fails. All He does is just and good. All His commandments are trustworthy. They are forever true, to be obeyed faithfully and with integrity. (Psalm 111)

Be patient, therefore, beloved, until the coming of the Lord. The farmer waits for the precious crop from the earth, being patient with it until it receives the early and late rains. You must also be patient.  –(James 5:7-8)