Yesterday was a hard day for me. Perhaps for someone else as well. It was a day which brought extension of closures and the sobering realization of difficulties sure to be lengthier than many had first expected.

And the dam broke and the tears burst.

The memes were no longer funny and communicating through technology with those I needed to talk seemed liked too much effort in the moment.

Opening the Lent devotional I’m reading this season, I re-read the now familiar words once again:

“You suffered through
all that I can imagine
every tear, drizzle
or deluge
every prick of pain, jagged
sharp and raw
You felt it, carried it
before I noticed
and You whisper low
into my cloud
“come, let’s talk about it
I’ll take that from you”
why then do I sit reluctant
almost afraid to release what I
never needed
let it go
Your hands far more
capable than mine”

(Karin Fendick, From Ashes To Glory)

The words brought back one verse spoken from the mouth of Isaiah, an Old Testament prophet. He minced no words as he spoke out against the social and political evils of his day. He addressed God’s people who had turned away from God to embraced idolatry. He chastised the wealthy and influential people of his day for having forgotten the poor, the widow, and the orphaned.

And Isaiah speaks to us still, where we are, for God’s Word is alive and living and discerning hearts today. The one verse was so simple:

“Even an ox knows its owner, and a donkey recognizes its master’s care – but Israel doesn’t know its master. My people don’t recognize my care for them.” (Isaiah 1:3, NLT)

In these trying and difficult days, may we remember and recognize God’s care for us. He will be all to us, for all of us.

He will be near when others must stay far.

He will be our sustenance when the store shelves are empty.

He will be our guidance when our leaders are forging through uncharted territory.

He will be our peace when the world is unsettled and in turmoil.

For He is God, and God alone.

May we not forget He has paid the cost and suffered, so that He would be our all in all in these days we are living, and in this very moment of time. The very same power that raised Jesus from the dead will be with the Church, His Body, through all things through all time.

^“I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe him. This is the same mighty power that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at God’s right hand in the heavenly realms. Now he is far above any ruler or authority or power or leader or anything else””not only in this world but also in the world to come. God has put all things under the authority of Christ and has made him head over all things for the benefit of the church. And the church is his body; it is made full and complete by Christ, who fills all things everywhere with himself.” (Ephesians 1:19-23, NLT)

This same Jesus, resides in us through the power of the Holy Spirit,
and He is and will be,
enough.