Precious Lord Jesus, I’ve read that You are “gentle and lowly in heart” (Mt. 11:29 ESV). Help me remember the gentle way You treat Your repentant, lowly, suffering ones (Is. 57:15).
You came into Your created world in a lowly, humbled, and gently meek way. While still fully God, You emptied Yourself as You dependently trusted in our Father, obeying Him all the way to the cross (Phil. 2:8).
O Hope of every contrite heart,
O Joy of all the meek,
to those who fall, how kind thou art!
How good to those who seek!
(“Jesus, the Very Thought of Thee,”
attr. to St. Bernard of Clairvaux, 12th c., trans. Caswall, E.)
Jesus, the very thought of Thee as my Comforter
In Your gentleness, You promise tender comfort to me in my suffering, for it’s also humbling me into a dependent trust of our Father.
Jesus, the very thought of thee
with sweetness fills my breast;
but sweeter far thy face to see,
and in thy presence rest.
As I wait for You to bring victorious final justice over all sin, evil, and our enemy, You promise you will not break a bruised reed or quench a smoldering wick (Is. 42:3; Mt. 12:20). Sometimes, my flame seems almost out as I bow so low to You, Lord, who comforts the downcast (2 Cor. 7:6).
But You promise to be my Comforter in those very moments (Is. 51:12). For they are indeed humbling. I see my need; so do others. Not everyone understands, but You always do. I only need You…my Lord Jesus.
But what to those who find? Ah, this
no tongue nor pen can show;
the love of Jesus, what it is
none but his loved ones know.
Jesus, the very thought of Thee as the LORD
Maybe I also need to remember that You are not only gentle, but You are the LORD!
You are my Maker, through Whom and for Whom the heavens and earth exist (e.g., Is. 51:3; 1 Cor. 8:6; Col. 1:16; Heb. 1:2).
It’s in Your gentle reminder of Your power and authority to hold up the entire universe, that I am no longer bowed down with an overwhelmed focus on my own dimmed light…
but with focus on Your sure promise to hold me up (Ps. 63:8, 145:14; Is. 9:7, 41:10; Heb. 1:3).
He who is bowed down shall speedily be released; he shall not die and go down to the pit, neither shall his bread be lacking (Is. 51:14 ESV).
No voice can sing, no heart can frame,
nor can the memory find,
a sweeter sound than thy blest name,
O Savior of mankind.
My Jesus, the very thought of Thee is Your gift as I suffer
It is all Your gentle and tender mercy. This speedy release comes when I am so humbly bowed down before Your throne of grace. It’s all Your gentle comfort and freeing release when I realize You are the source of all I need to endure this pain today…and tomorrow.
I can sing along with David:
This very humility is Your gentle and tender gift of saving, rescuing trust in You as You hold me up. Just like You experienced, my gentle Savior. Thank You, for as I take Your yoke upon me and learn from You, You again promise I will find rest for my soul (Mt. 11:29).
Jesus, our only joy be thou,
as thou our prize wilt be;
Jesus, be thou our glory now,
and through eternity.
Amen and amen.
Material adapted from Praying God’s Promises Into Suffering: A Devotional Bible Study Prayer Journal, Lauri A. Hogle, © 2023
Singing to Jesus, filling our thoughts of Him
This week’s professionally curated playlist gift is a prayer-song to Jesus in response to who He is. As we both suffer. It echoes these Scriptures as we bring our suffering to Him and fix our thoughts on Him. I’m praying He comforts you in your thoughts…and in your hurting heart and body. If this might bless you in this suffering time, sign up here, and it will come to your email.
To read more of Lauri’s writing, you can use her devotional Bible study lament prayer journals: Praying God’s Promises Into Suffering, or Near to God: A Devotional Bible Study of God’s Character as We Suffer, or Singing the Gospel to Job: Finding Hope in Suffering. In the Valleys of God’s Love is written for children aged 3-8, a perfect read for grandparents, parents, and children to share together, preparing them for suffering to come.
For Scripture devotionals, calming hymns, and encouragement from Lauri, click here for YouTube podcast
For those with chronic illness, chronic pain, anxiety or depression, click here for a music therapy-inspired podcast of Scripture and hymns to help ease symptoms
