“Come, let us return to the LORD. For He has torn us, but He will heal us; He has wounded us, but He will bandage us. He will revive us after two days; He will raise us up on the third day, that we may live before Him. So let us know, let us press on to know the LORD. His going forth is as certain as the dawn; and He will come to us like the rain, like the spring rain watering the earth.” -Hosea 6:1-3

Dear Friend,

God loves you so much. He created you for a reason. So He could call you His own. So you can abide in Him and He in you. So that He may be glorified. You’re not too far gone. What do you feel? Despair? Shame? Guilt? Disgust? Brokenness? Hopelessness?

The world would have you believe that you can overcome these things by following your heart. By doing whatever makes you happy, whatever makes you feel good. Satan would have you believe that God doesn’t love you or the world because of all the evil.

But Truth prevails! God could have looked upon us, upon all the filth of our sin, and said, “I’m done.” He could have removed His hand, His presence, His peace, and His mercy for good. And then yes, dear Friend, you would be stuck in despair, in shame, in guilt, in hopelessness.

But God…

He sent His Son to this earth. He put on flesh and dwelt among us. Jesus was born in a manger. He came as a baby, and He wasn’t born into a royal family. He did not have the appearance of a King, but He was THE King of all Kings. He was fully God and fully man. Yet He grew up like one of us and remained sinless. The spotless Lamb, who loved us–who healed and preached and served and multiplied loaves and fish and wept when other wept–was spat upon. Mocked. Abused by those who couldn’t stand the thought of Him stealing their glory, their power. And He wasn’t even a king. He didn’t even ride upon a great stallion but chose to ride upon a donkey.

And He chose to die on a cross and take my sin and your sin upon Himself. The Lamb conquered death and rose from the grave, so you could choose Life by surrendering your heart to Him.

His way, the only way, is not an easy road that promises every moment to be full of happiness. But His way is the only way that promises restoration instead of despair, forgiveness instead of shame, freedom instead of guilt, joy instead of disgust, redemption instead of brokenness, and hope in a dark world. When you surrender your heart, you become His child, and as His child, this world is no longer your home. Though you may suffer for a little while, joy beyond all compare is one day coming.

Jesus came once. And He’s coming again.

Trust in the King. Choose Life. Experience His grace. For there is no wound, no pain, no circumstance too great for Him. Come to the Lord; press on to know Him intimately. Don’t just survive…LIVE! All to the glory of the Lord.

He will be your peace in every storm.

And one day…the storms will cease as sorrow and sin become no more.

I’m thankful Jesus is my Savior!