“The Father Himself Loves You”

“Though I have been speaking figuratively, a time is coming when I will no longer use this kind of language but will tell you plainly about my Father. In that day you will ask in my name. I am not saying that I will ask the Father on your behalf. No, the Father himself loves you because you have loved me and have believed that I came from God. I came from the Father and entered the world; now I am leaving the world and going back to the Father.”

Then Jesus’ disciples said, “Now you are speaking clearly and without figures of speech. Now we can see that you know all things and that you do not even need to have anyone ask you questions. This makes us believe that you came from God.”

“Do you now believe?” Jesus replied. “A time is coming and in fact has come when you will be scattered, each to your own home. You will leave me all alone. Yet I am not alone, for my Father is with me.

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

John 16:25-33

Think about the final days of last year. Was it a year that brought sorrow to you? Was it a year that brought sickness to you and your family? What makes this new year any different? Knowing that we will have tribulation, eventually. Even God’s children are not promised a life of ease, of prosperity, nor of good health. We are never alone in our troubles.

Our God is a God of abundant love and neither life nor death can ever separate us. When trouble comes, His presence is His promise.

Faith is believing that God is present when all we hear is silence.

Our Daily Bread – January 17, 2013