Daily devotional, August 2, 2024 Draft
"So also you have sorrow now, but I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you."
John 16:22
For most of us, the draft folder in our email or messaging accounts hold a substantial amount of information on things and topics that what we care about. If we scan it briefly we can see that it may contain unsent messages for someone we want to keep in touch with. For others it can also contain a supposedly scathing response to an email that has evoked anger. Some draft entries can just be notes to self, others half-written responses to both important and not-so important communication.
But whatever type of draft can be seen in one’s folder, all of it has one common denominator. The messages therein were all left unsaid. It is unsent, and the supposed recipient had no idea what we may have wanted to tell them. Whether this was done deliberately or out of forgetfulness or busyness, is beside the point. The thing is, the message was not communicated.
As followers of Jesus, we can be sure that all of our Savior’s messages for us have been sent to the inbox of our hearts. Nothing can be found in God’s draft folder because His words are too powerful to be hindered from getting across to its intended recipient.
"So shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it."
Isaiah 55:11
What is possible is that our own mailboxes are filled with UNREAD messages from God. When was the last time you’ve read the bible? When was the last time you’ve opened that devotional?
"There is a judge for the one who rejects me and does not accept my words; the very words I have spoken will condemn them at the last day." John 12:48
It is comforting to know that our God, is just so loving and gracious that He continues to assure us of His presence, His love, His guidance, and His willingness to forgive.
"Thus says the Lord: “The people who survived the sword found grace in the wilderness; when Israel sought for rest, the Lord appeared to him from far away. I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore I have continued my faithfulness to you."
Jeremiah 31:2-3
It is however sad that we do not get this assurance because we do not know where to look for it. When we feel sad, overwhelmed, and desperate, we reach out for comfort from the wrong things. Sometimes we even look for it from the wrong people. But God is so patient to remind us, always so diligent to send us His messages of love and assure us that His promises are unchanging.
"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God."
2 Corinthians 1:3-4
As followers of Jesus, our hearts can be filled with the warm comfort of our Heavenly Father’s embrace, if only we could spend time with Him. If only He is our top go-to person when we feel weary and worried. If only He is the first person we want to thank when we feel happy and successful. If only we are sincere in seeking Him.
"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfareand not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart."
Jeremiah 29:11-13
Holding on to the Lord’s promises is one of the best things that we can do when we are feeling hopeless. Staying by His feet is the best thing we can do for ourselves when we feel like we are at our wit’s end. Meditating on His words and waiting on Him is the best solution when we feel like we have lost control over our lives, and everything is falling apart faster than we can ask for help.
Our God is so good and merciful that He has left us the Bible as our resource and guidebook for life. In there nothing is left unsaid.
“I, I am he who comforts you; who are you that you are afraid of man who dies, of the son of man who is made like grass, and have forgotten the Lord, your Maker, who stretched out the heavens and laid the foundations of the earth, and you fear continually all the day because of the wrath of the oppressor, when he sets himself to destroy? And where is the wrath of the oppressor? He who is bowed down shall speedily be released; he shall not die and go down to the pit, neither shall his bread be lacking." Isaiah 51:12-14
Thank you for reading through our devotional today. I invite you to ponder on Psalm 91:1-16 to dig deeper on today’s topic.
Reflection Question: Have you read all of God’s messages to you?
Conversation with the Lord: _Lord Jesus Christ, thank you for the gift of comfort. I love you above all else, and I am sorry for the times I failed to appreciate your love and presence. Help me see everything that you do for me, and help me encourage others to see the good that you do. Amen.
