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Tuesday, September 3

I will not leave you as orphans

I have another book rec I'd like to pass along: Running Scared: Fear, Worry, and the God of Rest by Edward T. Welch. I have a few chapters left, and it's been such a faith bolstering read!

In Chapter 22, Dr. Welch explains that the key to embracing "do not be afraid" is to comprehend that God is with us. Always. Two of the several scripture passages he encourages the reader to consider are found in John:

John 14:15-21 (NIV)
15 “If you love me, keep my commands. 16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— 17 the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him,because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. 18 I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. 19 Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. 20 On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you. 21 Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them.”

John 17:20-23 (NIV)
20 “My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, 21 that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. 22 I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one 23 I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.

How humbling it is to think of our Savior praying for us in this way!  Grace and peace dear readers, He is sufficient for all your needs.