Oh, and yes, I switched from “mine” to “ours”; from singular possessive to inclusive plural possessive. The English language has lost most linguistic distinction between the inclusive and exclusive forms of plurality. And that is just as well! The religious establishment of Jesus’ day was soaked in the exclusive plural concept of “ours” – as in, if you were lucky enough to have been born a Jew (or a Benjamite) – versus “ours” – as in, being a human! How sad to think that we might fall into the same trap of self-righteous bigotry and forget that Jesus said that if He was lifted up, He would draw ALL humankind to Himself. Not just “Christians,” to the exclusion of Jews, Buddhists, Muslims, or even agnostics or atheists, but ALL.
Jesus’ language was clearly inclusive. So it should come as no surprise that Jesus, while teaching his disciples to pray, begins with the words “OUR father,” both present tense and inclusive. That’s assurance.
In Hebrews 4:16, the apostle Paul tells us to “come boldly before the throne of grace!” I believe that Paul was making reference to the many instances in the psalms and other writings in the Old Testament that were penned to assure Israel of God‘s presence with them.
I have to admit that I love the story of Job whose assurance of God’s love led him to say, “Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him!” Trust requires and rests upon assurance. Most newer translations of the Bible interpret Hebrews 11:1 along these lines. “Faith is the assurance of things hoped for, and the evidence of things not seen.”
The story of Job has taught me to pray for the faith (assurance) I need to trust in God’s love, not just for me and my loved ones, but for all of humanity. All too often it is all too easy to lose our sense of empathy, and to view others as outsiders in one way or another.
In the current climate of political turmoil, centered around events in Eastern Europe, we may be tempted to praise one side and curse the other. Which side one chooses to praise and which to curse may depend on one’s ancestral background, among other factors. But we should note in the context of this, the Lord’s Prayer, that God is OUR Father, and He loves both Ukrainians and Russians. Jesus died for both Volodymyr and Vladimir. Our purpose is never to demonize anyone, but to glorify God, and perhaps to weep with Him for those who feel excluded.
Let us rest in such assurance as this: God loves even ungodly despots, and also, even me! Lord, guide our prayers to lift You up, so that you can draw all humanity to You. Blessed assurance is indeed ours.