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Listen while you read: "We Praise Thee O God"1
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Revelation 22:13 – I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end. (ESV)
Recently, one of our leaders led the church community's "all-age spot". She held up a piece of string as a visual aid and asked some children to come up and help her to hold it as a representation of time. They stretched it out across the platform until it was tight. One end represented the beginning of time, and the other, the end.
She threaded a hula-hoop over the string. Then, with the string in the centre, she ran up and down the length of the string to show how God's presence is ever present through time, surrounding us from beginning to end. As today's verse says, Jesus is the Alpha and Omega — the beginning and end of all existence, including time.
Jesus our Saviour is ever-present with us, sometimes out of sight but always surrounding us with His love, care, and attention. To move the analogy on for a moment, in like manner to that string, many of us find ourselves stretched out, taut and at breaking point.
Caroline, my wife, whispered to my eldest daughter with three young, boisterous children, "Isn't it good to know that Jesus is there when we get to the end of our rope!" She smiled.
This is a profound truth: Jesus can always be found at the end of our particular piece of rope. Having held on to our determination to do things our way without Him, He meets us at the point where we can go no further on our own, and we give up our independence, especially when we are at a loss for what to do! He meets us when we are about to snap, and we call out in desperation. Jesus comes in through the door of our existence to share our journey with us, good and bad.
Matthew 11:28 – Come to me, all who labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. (ESV)
If you are at the end of your personal piece of string today, call out to Jesus. He will hear you and bring a peace and a hope that the world cannot give because He has been there and done that for us on the cross.
Prayer: Lord, thank You for being there for us, for saving us through turbulent times and uncertain futures. Thank You that You always know the way and the end of the matter. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.
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About the author:
Rod Marshall <roderickhenrymarshall@gmail.com>
Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, England
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Comforting words, Rod.
Thanks for a good word today, Rod.
Amen, Rod. Where would we be without God? I can’t begin to imagine!
Rod, thanks for sharing this great visual to remind me of God’s ever present and all surrounding presence and care.
HI Rod,
Thank you for the lovely devotion – the symbol of the rope and God’s presence.
Blessings on your day.
I have read the email sent to me by a friend. It came as I am feeling so depressed and forlorn, but my spirits are lifted and I will keep this email for a long time. Thank you.
It always pleases me to read a devotional from your, Rod. I love the string idea and love the “all ages spot.” How did the latter come about?
Thank you once more for writing in your very special way.
Thank you, Rod, for another of your interesting and encouraging devotionals. We surely need be grateful that our Lord is ever there and ready to help us through whatever we have to deal with.
Blessings for these special writings.
Thank you for sharing.
Thanks, Rod. Good imagery to hold onto!
Thank you for sharing this encouraging devotional with us! It’s so good to know that God is always with us! Blessings.