Like everyone, I’m watching the news… in horror, dismay, perplexity, sorrow… with my eyes wide open and my hand often unintentionally over my heart or mouth… lacking the understanding to make sense of an age-old conflict playing out in real-time today… right here on the screens in front of me. I’m experiencing a whirlwind of emotions and leaves me feeling helpless.
I want to pray. I need to pray. But I literally have no words. Every cry of my heart I could offer up to the Sovereign Lord seems inadequate for the current trauma in Israel and for the weighty consequences sure to come.
However, I’ve been in this place before. In my own personal seasons of tragedy, loss, disappointment, discouragement, and wondering what God is doing or why He is allowing such pain and suffering, only three words seem to soothe my throbbing soul:
Jesus, Jesus. Jesus!
And a calmness quiets my racing heart and over-active mind.
Because,
“The name of the LORD is a strong fortress;
the godly run to Him and are safe.”(Prov. 18:10)
Jesus, Jesus. Jesus!
This one Name encompasses
ALL POWER.
ALL WISDOM.
ALL PRESENCE.
ALL LOVE.
NOTHING takes Him by surprise.
Everything WILL work out for His glory… somehow.
When we cannot pray, when words fail us, when our burdens seem to overtake our brains, blocking out what we KNOW is true… “…the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know what to pray for as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words; Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God.” (Rom. 8:26-27 NASB)
Jesus, Jesus. Jesus!
When we are made aware of the unrest in individuals, families, churches, cities, states, nations, and the world…
Jesus, {name of person or place}. Jesus!
When burdened to request the most potent petitions of Our Sovereign Lord on behalf of our dearest loved ones…
Jesus, {loved one’s name}. Jesus!
When it looks and feels impossible…
Jesus, Jesus. Jesus!
Why?
Because this is the Truth about Jesus:
…there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved. Acts. 4:12
Therefore, God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Phil. 2:9-11
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6
Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me…” Mat. 28:18
For by Him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through Him and for Him. Col. 1:16 {emphasis, mine}
God loved the people of this world so much that he gave his only Son {JESUS}, so that everyone who has faith in him will have eternal life and never really die. God did not send his Son into the world to condemn its people. He sent him to save them! John 3:16-17.
Jesus, Jesus. Jesus!
You and I can experience the Peace and Comfort of knowing that when we have no words, the Spirit speaks on our behalf. In times of conflict, in times of despair, when words fail us, we can rest in the knowledge that we are not alone, nor are we ineffective. Our prayers are being heard and answered by the One Word… Jesus. (see John 1:1).
He is the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end. (Rev. 22:13)
Jesus, Jesus. Jesus! A men.
