Simon Peter answered Him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and to know that You are the Holy One of God” (John 6:68-69).
God of mercy, God of grace, we worship You with thanksgiving, saying like the Psalmist, "I have always been mindful of Your unfailing love and have lived in reliance on Your faithfulness" (Psalm 26:3).
Through the ups and downs of life, across rough terrain and smooth, on every mountain, and in every dark valley You are with us—You never leave us or forsake us (Deuteronomy 31:6). You have told us in Your word that "wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it" (Matthew 7:13-14).
O God of unfailing love thank You for Your Son, Immanuel, who came down to us in flesh and walked this earth to show us the way, to be the way. Thank You that our Lord Jesus knows the difficulties of the narrow road. He knows every hill and every hole, every thistle and every thorn. And He goes before us.
When the road is tough, or uncertain, or treacherous, holy Father, help us to "fix our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith" (Hebrews 12:12). When the teaching seems hard (John 6:60), and human sensibilities are offended (John 6:61), remind us that "the Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing." Remind us that Your words "are full of the Spirit and life" (John 6:63). Remind us that "You alone have the words of eternal life" (John 6:68).
Father, keep our hearts firm and steady. Keep us from turning back (John 6:67). Keep us from being distracted by the counterfeit pleasures and the forced gaiety of "Vanity Fair." Keep us from the enticements of the "broad road that leads to destruction." Remind us that "those who run after other gods will suffer more and more" (Psalm 16:4).
Help us to stay the course, with the blessed assurance that You are with us, and that "our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all" (2 Corinthians 4:17).
Lord, Your love never fails. Help us to trust in You with all our heart, so that even when we encounter weariness or discouragement, perplexity or uncertainty, doubt or fear, and we are faced with the question, “You do not want to leave too, do you?”, our hearts would quickly respond, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life" (John 6:67-68).
Comments