Category: Silent love

Romans 8:32, 37 NIV – He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?
In all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.

We are called “more than conquerors.” The idea is this – what was won on the cross now extends with full force, full power into all moments of our lives. That’s the power of the cross! It is the conquering love that keeps conquering. This is what salvation rescue is. It’s a bigger idea than just “going to heaven” one day, it has everything to do with here and now. Jesus conquered the silence of the grave and now as we cling to him, he is there in our times of brokenness – Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday… – conquering again and again.

Today, let’s pray for God’s conquering love to come in full power to our churches and places of ministry. May the overwhelming victory that was won on the cross now be brought into every area of our lives.

Prayer: “Heavenly Father, thank you for your conquering love. May our communities experience the full power of the cross. May our small groups and those whom God has called us to love experience overwhelming victory in Jesus’ name. Amen.”

Let’s worship to “Same Power” by Worship Central (Click here).

– LL

Romans 8:31-34 NIV – If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?

“Look what the Messiah has done, and is still doing even as we speak. Look around and see the many things that threaten to separate you from the powerful love which reaches out through the cross and resurrection, and learn that they are all beaten foes. Learn to dance and sing for joy to celebrate the victory of God.” [NT Wright, Paul for Everyone: Galatians]

The picture here is a courtroom where our accusers have gathered and we believe we stand condemned. But what happens? The question is asked four times. Who is against us? Who will charge? Who will condemn? Who will separate us from the love of God? No one.

Today, what past trauma, shame, or fear stands to accuse you? The answer is no one. Our “accusers” have been conquered and this is now the basis for our everyday hope as we live, pray, and minister today in our workplaces and campuses.

Prayer: “Thank you Jesus for the cross! We dance and sing for joy in your victory. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.”

Let’s worship to “The Cross Stands” by Tim Hughes (Click here).

– LL

Lamentations 3:25-27 NIV –
The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him,
to the one who seeks him;
it is good to wait quietly
for the salvation of the Lord.
It is good for a man to bear the yoke
while he is young.

Here in the third chapter of Lamentations we encounter the “three goods.” Together the “three goods” affirm the goodness of God and teach us how to remain in the Lord’s silent love.

Good 1 – The first good is about actively seeking God. Often the natural tendency when we face hardship is to run away from the Lord. But in our desperate moments it is good to pursue the Lord, it is good to cry out to him, it is good to receive his help. God will prove himself to be good to those who seek him.

Good 2 – The second good is about clinging to God. To “wait quietly” isn’t so much about volume, instead it is about having patient hope because we are confident God will answer and we are confident we will be found in his goodness.

Good 3 – The third good is about discipline. Not all heartache is due to personal sin but when it is, it is good and appropriate to be disciplined, it is good to repent, it is good to learn.

Prayer: “Thank you Lord, you are good good good to us. Today may I seek you, may I cling to you, may I learn from you. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.”

Let’s worship to “God You’re So Good” by Passion (Click here).

– LL

Lamentations 3:6 NIV – He has made me dwell in darkness like those long dead.
Lamentations 3:22-24 NIV – Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, “The Lord is my portion; therefore, I will wait for him.”

The poet cries out to the Lord but at first, he can’t hear God, he can’t feel God. The silence is the silence of the grave. Has God abandoned him?

But the poet discovers that even in the dark seasons of life the Lord’s “compassions” never fail. The root word for “compassion” – womb – gives us insight into the Lord’s silent love. During difficult times we are not found in the silence of the grave, instead we are found in the silence of the womb. It’s an intimate and powerful picture of how God faithfully cares for our lives. We are never outside of God’s love. The reality is we are held within it – supernaturally protected and enclosed in his love.

Today the Lord is closer to us than we ever could have imagined! Moment by moment he is intimately involved in our circumstances – actively nourishing us, fighting for us, and rescuing us. In response, let us moment to moment wait on him and be found in him.

Prayer: “Heavenly Father, we trust today you are present in all our circumstances. May we be found in your faithful love. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.”

Let’s worship to “Surrounded” by Upper Room Music (Click here).

– LL

Lamentations 3:21-24 NIV –
Yet this I call to mind
and therefore I have hope:
Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed,
for his compassions never fail.
They are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.
I say to myself, “The Lord is my portion;
therefore I will wait for him.”

“Where is God in all of this? God is not outside the pain, outside the mess. God is there at the heart of the mess.” [NT Wright, Jesus, Paul, and the People of God]

Where is God in the dark seasons of our lives? In our desperate moments we cry out to him for rescue but at times we are met with seeming silence. But here at the center of the book of Lamentations what do we find? We discover God’s love, faithfulness, and compassion.

In the midst of a difficult season God is here at the center of it all. Today the word of God assures us that the Lord’s love is actively present in the middle of our struggles. If we are facing difficulty today, let’s call on the one who faithfully and compassionately carries us, protects us, and takes care of our lives.

Prayer: “Heavenly Father, thank you for your faithful love and compassion over my life. We are not alone. In your presence we find rescue and peace. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.”

Let’s worship to “Here with Me” by Tim Hughes (Click here).

– LL