Today, and Yet Reflections on Jesus
by Sharon Dalton Williams ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !
!
Dear Reader, My prayer for you as you read this booklet is that you will see Jesus in new ways and come to know beyond the shadow of a doubt that He loves you supremely, that He is on your side, that He will never leave you or forsake you, and that He wants you home with Him forever. May you be blessed and encouraged by our wonderful Lord and Savior, Jesus. In Him, Sharon
!
! ! ! ! ! !
Unless!otherwise!noted,!Scripture!references!are!taken!from!the! New!King!James!Version!(NKJV).! Scriptures!noted!as!NLT!are!taken!from!the!New!Living!Translation.! Scriptures!noted!as!AMP!are!taken!from!the!Amplified!Bible.! ! Š!2009
For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6 1!
Today I"feel"heavy"with"sin," burdened,"filled"with"guilt"."."." "
And yet"""Jesus"does"not"turn"His"back" on"me."Instead"He"opens"His"arms" wide"and"beckons"me"to"come"to"Him" and"live. !
! ! ! And"she"will"bring"forth"a"Son,"and"you"shall"call"His" name"Jesus,"for"He"will"save"His"people"from"their" sins." "
"
"
"
Matthew"1:21"
For"God"so"loved"the"world"that"He"gave"His"only" begotten"Son,"that"whoever"believes"in"Him"should" not"perish"but"have"everlasting"life."For"God"did"not" send"His"Son"into"the"world"to"condemn"the"world," but"that"the"world"through"Him"might"be"saved." " " " " " " " " " " John"3:16,"17! ! 2!
Today I"feel"unworthy,"as"though" there"is"no"reason"why"God"would" look"upon"me"with"favor"."."." "
And yet"""Jesus"looks"upon"me"with" love"and"says,"“Come,"believe"in"Me" and"I"will"be"worthy"in"your"stead.� !
! For"He"made"Him"who"knew"no"sin"to"be"sin"for"us," that"we"might"become"the"righteousness"of"God"in" Him." " " " " " 2"Corinthians"5:21" " I"will"greatly"rejoice"in"the"Lord,"My"soul"shall"be" joyful"in"my"God;"For"He"has"clothed"me"with"the" garments"of"salvation,"He"has"covered"me"with"the" robe"of"righteousness,"As"a"bridegroom"decks"himself" with"ornaments,"And"as"a"bride"adorns"herself"with" her"jewels." " " " " " Isaiah"61:10" ! ! 3!
Today I"am"happy"and"dancing"in" newness"of"life"in"Christ"."."." "
And yet"""Jesus"does"not"frown"at"my" giddiness."Instead"He"throws"back"His" head"in"laughter"and"joins"the"dance. !
! ! ! You"have"turned"for"me"my"mourning"into"dancing;" You"have"put"off"my"sackcloth"and"clothed"me"with" gladness." " " " " " Psalm"30:11" " The"young"women"will"dance"for"joy,"and"the"men— old"and"young—will"join"in"the"celebration."I"will"turn" their"mourning"into"joy."I"will"comfort"them"and" exchange"their"sorrow"for"rejoicing." " " " " " Jeremiah"31:13"(NLT)" !
!
!
4!
Today I"have"sinned"and"wonder" whether"I"am"truly"saved"."."." "
And yet"""Jesus"doesn’t"criticize"me"for" stumbling"and"falling"in"the"pit." Instead"He"gently"picks"me"up,"cleans" me"up,"and"holds"me"tight. !
! ! ! If"we"confess"our"sins,"He"is"faithful"and"just"to"forgive" us"our"sins"and"to"cleanse"us"from"all" unrighteousness." " " " " " 1"John"1:9" " Therefore,"if"anyone"is"in"Christ,"he"is"a"new"creation;" old"things"have"passed"away;"behold,"all"things"have" become"new." " " " " " 2"Corinthians"5:17" " ! ! 5!
Today I"feel"unloved"."."." "
And yet"""Jesus"is"not"dismayed"by"my" feelings."Instead"shows"me"His"hands" and"feet"and"says,"“You"are"loved" beyond"measure.” !
! ! ! " The"Lord"has"appeared"of"old"to"me,"saying:"“Yes,"I" have"loved"you"with"an"everlasting"love;"Therefore" with"lovingkindness"I"have"drawn"you.”" " " " " " Jeremiah"31:3" " Can"a"woman"forget"her"nursing"child,"And"not"have" compassion"on"the"son"of"her"womb?"Surely"they"may" forget,"Yet"I"will"not"forget"you."See,"I"have"inscribed" you"on"the"palms"of"My"hands." " " " " " Isaiah"49:15,"16a" " ! 6!
Today I"am"hungry;"I"am"empty"."."." "
And yet"""Jesus"doesn’t"criticize"me"for" my"hunger."Instead"He"says,"“Come," eat."I’ve"prepared"good"things"to" satisfy"you.” !
! ! " " For"He"satisfies"the"longing"soul,"And"fills"the"hungry" soul"with"goodness." " " " " " Psalm"107:9" " He"will"feed"His"flock"like"a"shepherd;"He"will"gather" the"lambs"with"His"arm,"And"carry"them"in"His"bosom," And"gently"lead"those"who"are"with"young." " " " " " Isaiah"40:11" " ! !
! ! 7!
Today I"am"thirsty."I"have"looked" everywhere"for"water,"yet"all"is"dry"."."." "
And yet"""Jesus"is"not"disappointed"in" me."Instead"He"offers"me"His"water"so" I"will"never"thirst"again. !
! ! ! But"whoever"drinks"of"the"water"that"I"shall"give"him" will"never"thirst."But"the"water"that"I"shall"give"him" will"become"in"him"a"fountain"of"water"springing"up" into"everlasting"life." " " " " " John"4:14" " And"He"said"to"me,"“It"is"done!"I"am"the"Alpha"and"the" Omega,"the"Beginning"and"the"End."I"will"give"of"the" fountain"of"the"water"of"life"freely"to"him"who"thirsts.�" " " " " " Revelation"21:6" !
! ! 8!
Today all"is"dark"and"cloudy."I"see" nothing"but"gray;"no"color"."."." "
And yet"""Jesus"is"not"frustrated"by" what"I"see."Instead"He"looks"into"my" eyes"and"smiles,"and"His"light"shines" into"my"dreary"day. !
! ! " The"Lord"bless"you"and"keep"you;"The"Lord"make"His" face"shine"upon"you,"And"be"gracious"to"you;"The"Lord" lift"up"His"countenance"upon"you,"And"give"you"peace." " " " " " Numbers"6:24b26" " The"people"who"walked"in"darkness"Have"seen"a"great" light;"Those"who"dwelt"in"the"land"of"the"shadow"of" death,"Upon"them"a"light"has"shined." " " " " " Isaiah"9:2" !
! ! 9!
Today I"am"grieving"and"sorrowful"."."." "
And yet"""Jesus"is"not"offended"by"my"
feelings."Instead"He"wraps"His"arms"of" comfort"around"me,"holds"me"close," and"cries"with"me. !
! ! “I,"even"I,"am"He"who"comforts"you.�" " " " " " Isaiah"51:12a" " Therefore,"behold,"I"will"allure"her,"Will"bring"her"into" the"wilderness,"And"speak"comfort"to"her." " " " " " Hosea"2:14" " Blessed"be"the"God"and"Father"of"our"Lord"Jesus" Christ,"the"Father"of"mercies"and"God"of"all"comfort," who"comforts"us"in"all"our"tribulation." " " " " " 2"Corinthian"1:3,"4a! ! ! 10!
Today I"am"lost,"and"I"can’t"find"my" way"back"to"Jesus"."."." "
And yet"""Jesus"isn’t"angry"that"I"made" a"wrong"turn."Instead"He"finds"me," lovingly"takes"my"hand,"and"says," “Follow"Me,”"as"He"leads"me"home. !
! What"do"you"think?"If"a"man"has"a"hundred"sheep,"and" one"of"them"goes"astray,"does"he"not"leave"the"ninetyb nine"and"go"to"the"mountains"to"seek"the"one"that"is" straying?"And"if"he"should"find"it,"assuredly,"I"say"to" you,"he"rejoices"more"over"that"sheep"than"over"the" ninetybnine"that"did"not"go"astray." " " " " " Matthew"18:12,"13" " These"are"the"ones"who"follow"the"Lamb"wherever"He" goes." " " " " " Revelation"14:4b! ! ! !
! 11!
Today I"am"afraid"."."." "
And yet"""Jesus"does"not"shake"His"
head"in"exasperation"at"my"fear." Instead"He"holds"my"trembling"soul" and"says,"“Fear"not;"I"AM.” !
! ! " " " " They"were"terrified,"but"He"called"out"to"them,"“Don’t" be"afraid."I"am"here!”" " " " " " John"6:19b,"20"(NLT)" " Fear"not,"for"I"am"with"you;"Be"not"dismayed,"for"I"am" your"God."I"will"strengthen"you,"Yes,"I"will"help"you,"I" will"uphold"you"with"My"righteous"right"hand." " " " " " Isaiah"41:10" !
! 12!
Today I"am"in"trouble"by"my"own" doings"."."." "
And yet"""Jesus"doesn’t"condemn"me" for"my"foolishness."Instead"He"races" from"heaven"and"rescues"me. !
! ! " " " In"my"distress"I"called"upon"the"Lord,"And"cried"out"to" my"God;"He"heard"my"voice"from"His"temple,"And"my" cry"came"before"Him,"even"to"His"ears."…"And"He"rode" upon"a"cherub,"and"flew;"He"flew"upon"the"wings"of" the"wind."…"He"sent"from"above,"He"took"me;"He"drew" me"out"of"many"waters."…"He"also"brought"me"out"into" a"broad"place;"He"delivered"me"because"He"delighted" in"me." " " " " " Psalm"18:6b19" !
! 13!
Today I"am"in"battle,"fighting"enemies" more"numerous"than"I"can"count"."."." "
And yet"""Jesus"is"not"indifferent." Instead"He"steps"in"and"fights"the" battle"for"me"defeating"my"enemies. !
! ! Do"not"be"afraid"nor"dismayed"because"of"this"great" multitude,"for"the"battle"is"not"yours,"but"God’s." " " " " " 2"Chronicles"20:15b" " And"Moses"said"to"the"people,"“Do"not"be"afraid."Stand" still,"and"see"the"salvation"of"the"Lord,"which"He"will" accomplish"for"you"today."For"the"Egyptians"whom" you"see"today,"you"shall"see"again"no"more"forever." The"Lord"will"fight"for"you,"and"you"shall"hold"your" peace.”" " " " " " Exodus"14:13,"14" !
! ! 14!
Today I"am"agitated;"everything"is"in" turmoil"."."." "
And yet"""Jesus"doesn’t"reproach"me." Instead"He"says,"“Come,"My"child,"sit" with"Me"a"while.”"And"His"presence" stills"the"chaos"inside. !
! " " " Peace"I"leave"with"you,"My"peace"I"give"to"you;"not"as" the"world"gives"do"I"give"to"you."Let"not"your"heart"be" troubled,"neither"let"it"be"afraid." " " " " " John"14:27" " You"will"keep"him"in"perfect"peace,"Whose"mind"is" stayed"on"You,"Because"he"trusts"in"You." " " " " " Isaiah"26:3" !
! !
! 15!
Today I"am"confused,"and"I"don’t" know"which"way"to"go"."."." "
And yet"""Jesus"is"not"distressed"by"my" confusion."Instead"He"says,"“Don’t" worry;"I"will"show"you"the"way" Myself.” !
! " " " I"will"instruct"you"and"teach"you"in"the"way"you" should"go;"I"will"guide"you"with"My"eye." " " " " " Psalm"32:8" " Your"ears"shall"hear"a"word"behind"you,"saying,"“This" is"the"way,"walk"in"it,”"Whenever"you"turn"to"the"right" hand"Or"whenever"you"turn"to"the"left." " " " " " Isaiah"30:21" !
! ! 16!
Today I"am"tired;"I"am"bone"weary"."."." "
And yet"""Jesus"doesn’t"scold"me"for" wearing"myself"down."Instead"He" leads"me"to"a"quiet"place"where"He" and"I"can"rest"together. !
! " " " Come"to"Me,"all"you"who"labor"and"are"heavy"laden," and"I"will"give"you"rest."Take"My"yoke"upon"you"and" learn"from"Me,"for"I"am"gentle"and"lowly"in"heart,"and" you"will"find"rest"for"your"souls."For"My"yoke"is"easy" and"My"burden"is"light." " " " " " Matthew"11:28b30" " Thus"says"the"Lord:"“Stand"in"the"ways"and"see,"And" ask"for"the"old"paths,"where"the"good"way"is,"And"walk" in"it;"Then"you"will"find"rest"for"your"souls.”" " " " " " Jeremiah"6:16" ! 17!
Today I"am"weak;"everything"seems" insurmountable"."."." "
And yet"""Jesus"is"not"frustrated"with" me."Instead,"He"lifts"me"up"and"says," “Lean"on"Me."I"will"be"strong"for"you.” !
!
!
! " And"He"said"to"me,"“My"grace"is"sufficient"for"you," for"My"strength"is"made"perfect"in"weakness.”" " " " " " 2"Corinthians"12:9" " My"flesh"and"my"heart"fail;"But"God"is"the"strength"of" my"heart"and"my"portion"forever." " " " " " Psalm"73:26" " “Not"by"might"nor"by"power,"but"by"My"Spirit,”"Says" the"Lord"of"hosts." " " " " " Zechariah"4:6b" ! 18!
Today I’ve"wandered"away"from"God," again"."."." "
And yet"""Jesus"doesn’t"scold"me"for" roaming."Instead,"He"leads"me"back"to" His"path"and"says,"“Stay"with"Me,"and"I" will"keep"you"from"wandering.”! ! " Behold,"I"send"an"Angel"before"you"to"keep"you"in"the" way"and"to"bring"you"into"the"place"which"I"have" prepared." "
" " " " Exodus"23:20" " The"Lord"is"your"keeper;"The"Lord"is"your"shade"at"your" right"hand." "
" " " " Psalm"121:5" " My"soul"follows"close"behind"You;"Your"right"hand" upholds"me." "
"
"
"
"
Psalm"63:8"
! 19!
Today I"am"feeling"abandoned,"as" though"no"one"is"with"me"."."." "
And yet"""Jesus"is"not"irritated"with" me."Instead"He"holds"me"close"and" whispers,"“I’ll"never"walk"out"on"you." I’m"always"hovering"by"your"side.” !
! " " Even"if"my"father"and"mother"abandon"me,"the"Lord" will"hold"me"close." " " " " " Psalm"27:10"(NLT)" " The"Lord"of"Heaven’s"Armies"will"hover"over" Jerusalem"and"protect"it"like"a"bird"protecting"its"nest." He"will"defend"and"save"the"city;"He"will"pass"over"it" and"rescue"it." " " " " " Psalm"31:5"(NLT)" ! ! !
! 20!
Today I"feel"so"alone"."."." "
And yet"""Jesus"is"not"displeased"with" me"for"feeling"this"way."Instead"He" holds"me"tight"and"assures"me"He"is" near"and"will"never"leave"my"side. !
! " " " The"Lord"is"near"to"all"who"call"upon"Him,"To"all"who" call"upon"Him"in"truth." " " " " " Psalm"145:18" " For"He"[God]"Himself"has"said,"I"will"not"in"any"way" fail"you"nor"give"you"up"nor"leave"you"without" support."[I"will]"not,"[I"will]"not,"[I"will]"not"in"any" degree"leave"you"helpless"nor"forsake"nor"let"[you]" down"(relax"My"hold"on"you)!"[Assuredly"not!]" " " " " " Hebrews"13:5b"(AMP)" ! !
! 21!
Today I"realize"I"no"longer"belong"in" this"world;"it"no"longer"holds"me"."."." "
And yet"""Jesus"is"not"surprised." Instead"He"scoops"me"up"in"His"arms" and"eagerly"says,"“It’s"almost"time"to" go"home!” !
! " For"here"we"have"no"continuing"city,"but"we"seek"the" one"to"come." " " " " " Hebrews"13:14" " Let"not"your"heart"be"troubled;"you"believe"in"God," believe"also"in"Me."In"My"Father’s"house"are"many" mansions;"if"it"were"not"so,"I"would"have"told"you."I"go" to"prepare"a"place"for"you."And"if"I"go"and"prepare"a" place"for"you,"I"will"come"again"and"receive"you"to" Myself;"that"where"I"am,"there"you"may"be"also." " " " " " John"14:1b3" " 22!
He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming quickly.� Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus! Revelation 22:20 !
23!