I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand.
(John 10:28-29, ESV)
Jerusalem under the reign of Solomon was something to behold. So much so that the magnificence of the temple, the opulent palace, the sheer wisdom of Solomon himself, and the joy that reverberated throughout the entire kingdom took the Queen of Sheba’s breath away (I Kings 10:4-9).
Yet tragically, less than 400 years later the Holy City was decimated. This once unrivaled marvel razed to the ground… invaded, plundered, and utterly destroyed beyond recognition.
In the midst of such desolation, picture in your mind a broken man staring into the ruins, sobbing uncontrollably. “My eyes are spent with weeping; my stomach churns; my bile is poured out to the ground because of the destruction of the daughter of my people,” (Lam. 2:11).
Lamentations reveals the writer wrestling in his spirit to reconcile how a good God could ordain such destruction. And before he’s done, he’s even convinced himself that God has it out for him personally (Lam. 3:1-20).
Can you relate? Ever felt in the deep recesses of your soul that God is against you? That heaven is deaf to your cries? When observing the landscape of your life, do you begin to doubt God’s goodness and conclude that He has abandoned you?
If so, take heart, because that’s not the end of the letter. Rising from the ashes come the lamenter’s next words: “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,” (Lam. 3:21-23, NIV).
When it seems all the props are knocked out from under you, God is there. When those you trust let you down, He remains faithful. When you think you’ve lost all hope, cling to His promise that He will never leave you or forsake you (Deut.31:6).
For if you are truly His child, adopted into His family by faith in Christ’s atoning blood alone, then His love toward you has never – and will never – change. His steadfast love endures forever. (Psalm 136). It is as true, as full, and as everlasting right this instant as it ever has been and ever will be (Jer.31:3). That is to say He has never let go of you, because His word is His bond.
So if you’re struggling in your faith toward our almighty God, ask Him to help you walk by faith and not by sight (2 Corinthians 5:7). Seek His strength and guidance. Trust in His numerous promises. He will sustain you through the long, dark nights and cause you to persevere because He is faithful to His promise (John 6:37-39). To Him be the glory!
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Faithful Father,
Because I am weak and tend to wander, I am so grateful that my salvation has nothing to do with me and everything to do with You. You chose me. You called me. Even the faith to believe in Your Son’s redemptive work on the cross was Your gift to me. You direct my path. You sanctify me through Your truth. And You uphold me with Your right hand, so that when I lose my way, You always bring me back.
Lord, forgive me for losing sight of the truth that absolutely everything – every detail of my life – was ordained by You in eternity past. No matter how random or circumstantial it looks to me, You promise that it is all for my ultimate good and Your glory.
And when I seek to understand why You allow tragedy, grief, loss, rejection, or disappointment, help me acknowledge Your sovereignty and echo Jeremiah’s words, “…I have hope: because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. Great is your faithfulness.”
Finally, remind me that nothing… not even my own disobedience and sin… can separate me from Your love. For You are faithful, and You will finish the work You’ve begun in me.
Thank you, Father, for never letting go of me!
- Your Word promises that You will be with me. My soul is precious in Your sight and I am in Your hands. The Angel of the Lord has pitched His tent about me and will carry my soul into heaven. I will never forsake You, Lord, and You will never forsake me.
- Lord, Your Son will never forget His saints. A woman may forget her own child, as Scripture tells us, but You will never forget Your own. What a comfort!
- “Neither shall any be able to pull us out of His hands,” (John 10:28). Christ, Your prayers are always heard (John 11:42) and You have prayed for me. You have prayed that my faith shall not fail, and that I might be kept from evil. You have promised all kinds of mercies to me because of Your work, and the Father listens to You. You have promised and are faithful to perform all of it. You will not allow me to be tempted above my power, but with the temptation You will provide a way of escape that I may bear it. My faith is not grounded on my own strength or worthiness, but on the power, mercy, faithfulness and truth of You and all Your promises, through the mediation and intercession of Jesus Christ.
Further References for John 10:28-29
Deut. 31:6-8; Ps. 37:17, 24; 46:1-2; 63:8; 145:14; Is. 12:2; 40:29-31; 41:13-14; 43:1; Rom. 8:28-31; 2 Cor. 12:9; Eph. 1:3-5; 2 Tim. 1:9; Titus 3:3-6.
