“I will not abandon you as orphans—I will come to you” (Jn.14:18). “Now to him (Jesus) who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine” (Eph.3:20).
Lord Jesus, we’ve never been more grateful for your first Advent (coming) and more eager for your second. But while we intensify our cry, “How Long O Lord?”, we remember your promise to never leave or forsake us (Heb.13:5). We will never experience a Christ-absent day. Hallelujah, and thank you.
We’re also grateful for the way you give us “little-‘a’-Advents”—coming to us by the Holy Spirit with crisis-shaped grace (Acts 7:55), mercy-in-the moment deliverance, and various demonstrations of your resurrection power and current reign. We aren’t “just barely holding on,” we’re being held fast. Once again, Hallelujah, and thank you.
Jesus, by the Gospel we know we’re already rooted and established in your love (Eph.3:17-19). But by the power of the Spirit grant us a fresh encounter with your beauty, magnificence, and goodness (Eph.5:18). Restore to us the joy of our first-moment of salvation. Renew in us the heart-palpitating love we had for you at first. And bring us into the much-more-ness of the freedom, peace, and kindness you intend for each of us (Gal.5:1).
On the perfect Day you will return to marry us, feast with us, and carry us through the portal of eternity into the new heaven and new earth (Rev.19). Surely this must be the “immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine” you’ve spoken about. Most gladly again we shout… “Hallelujah, and thank you Jesus.” So Very Amen.
