Lord Jesus Christ, when suffering overwhelms me, I must remember how big You are.
I am the Alpha and the Omega…who is and who was and who is come, the Almighty (Rev. 1:8 ESV).
Jesus, You are I AM. You are self-existent, constant, and You always accomplish Your purposes. You walked the earth for a brief time and yet, You have always existed outside of what we perceive as time, space, and location. I can’t comprehend it, but anything that exists is because You are…and You always will be.
I’m suffering today…but…
But you, O LORD, are enthroned forever; you are remembered throughout all generations (Ps. 102:12 ESV).
In the beginning, Alpha and Omega
In Your always and forever self-existence, “in the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth” (Gen. 1:1 ESV). God, Father, Son, Holy Spirit, in Your glorious trinitarian self-existence, You made everything we see and experience by Your Word.
I remember the grandeur of Your creation… Jesus, You are the Word.
God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM” (Ex. 3:14 ESV).
Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am” (Jn. 8:58 ESV).
Of the Father’s love begotten
ere the worlds began to be,
he is Alpha and Omega,
he the Source, the Ending he,
of the things that are, that have been, and that future years shall see,
evermore and evermore!
(“Of the Father’s Love Begotten,” Prudentius, A. C., trans. Baker & Neale, public domain)
Right now, I AM
Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth! (Ps. 46:10 ESV).
Lord, please help me cease striving. Help me to be still and deeply know You in my present experience, as the Hebrew word for “know” teaches. Things are hard right now, so help me to remember You are I AM, into my present earthly suffering.
Help me to exalt You, resurrected and reigning Jesus Christ, my King! You are right now seated on Your throne, sustaining all things. Hallelujah!
He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together (Col. 1:15-17 ESV).
This is he whom heav’n-taught singers sang of old with one accord,
whom the Scriptures of the prophets promised in their faithful word;
now he shines, the long-expected;
let creation praise its Lord,
evermore and evermore!
O ye heights of heav’n, adore him;
angel hosts, his praises sing;
all dominions, bow before him,
and extol our God and King;
let no tongue on earth be silent,
ev’ry voice in concert ring,
evermore and evermore!
In the future, Beginning and End
Lord Jesus Christ, I have a sure hope in Your promise for my future. Because You are Alpha and Omega, outside of time, I can rest in Your blessed assurance because I trust in You alone for my salvation. As a sinner saved by Your gracious gift, You alone are my righteousness.
But according to his promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells” (2 Pet. 3:13 ESV).
No matter what happens. In this world, in my life, and the lives of my loved ones, You are the great I AM. You are the end from the beginning. All things are in Your powerful hand and I can trust You, my Lord and my God.
Please help me to worship You with reverence and awe as I rest in knowing You are I AM. Please take all of my fears in the process and help me to trust You with every bit of the future.
Christ, to thee, with God the Father, and, O Holy Ghost, to thee,
hymn, and chant, and high thanksgiving, and unwearied praises be,
honor, glory, and dominion,
and eternal victory,
evermore and evermore!
In Your great name, I AM, evermore and evermore, Jesus Christ my Savior, amen.
Material adapted from Near to God: A Devotional Bible Study of God’s Character in Our Suffering, Lauri A. Hogle. Copyright © 2022
A playlist to praise the great I AM, Alpha and Omega
In my suffering, God keeps sustaining me through countless scary and upsetting moments by singing praise to Him for who He is as revealed in His Word. He’s settling my fears, soothing my tears, and carrying me through pain. He has come so near to my broken heart and body.
Beloved in Christ, let’s exalt Him. Let’s see Jesus far bigger than our suffering. Let’s magnify God above our troubles in this world. Let’s hallow His name, I AM. Let’s humbly trust what He’s doing, the Alpha and Omega, beginning and end.
I’ve made a playlist to help us adore and revere our Lord into our present suffering. It’s Christ-exalting, Jesus-focused, as we look to our Savior King seated on the throne. I pray He helps us to walk freed of anxiety, with rested joy and gospel hope as we praise Him. If this resource for personal worship would bless you, sign up here, and it will come to your email, my suffering sister in Christ.
