“I have prayed especially for you that your faith may not fail.”
~ Jesus, Luke 22:32 Amplified Bible
It’s easy for us to fall into the trap of thinking that God’s love is for The World, or the Church, as a whole, and not for us, individually. It’s a subtle and easily missed deception from our relentless enemy. He knows that he only needs to separate us from our personal face-to-face relationship with Christ in order to slay us with all other assaults. It’s that relationship that provides all of our strength – it’s the sap of the True Vine that gives us life. We don’t draw our new life from other believers but rather from the Lifegiver.
It’s true, of course, that the Lord cares for all of His creation, and the smallest creatures share in his providence, but his particular affection is over his saints. Think of the magnitude of this promise -- “The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear Him, and He rescues [each of] them.” Psalm 34:7 AMP
It is profoundly personal care. An affection that sees our deepest flaws and fears and banishes them for us when we are powerless to do it ourselves.
“But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the exceeding greatness of the power may be of God, and not from ourselves.” - 2 Corinthians 4:7
This thought has been on my mind recently as I’ve been writing the third book in a series about Jimmy, a young man who has been chosen for an enormous work. Chozeq, the angel warrior who has befriended him, is counseling the boy regarding his feelings of inadequacy for the task.
“Bear in thy heart a constant memory of thy weakness; it is good for thee to do so. Remember that ye are but an earthen vessel in which is contained an infinite power and the riches of Heaven itself. It is not the vessel that is strong but the power within it. Draw ever nearer to the source of that wellspring and leave not thy gaze from Him.” [Within and Without Time, Book 3]
While Jesus is the Savior of all men, he is especially the Savior of those who believe. Let this incredible truth cheer and comfort you. You are his special care; his regal treasure which he guards as the apple of his eye; his vineyard over which he watches day and night. “The very hairs of your head are all numbered.”
His promise is: “I will never leave you, nor forsake you.” Jesus has declared it to all the angels in Heaven! He holds you in His arms as He says: “Fear not, I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward.”
Think of that as you hear Jesus say: “I have prayed especially for you, that your faith may not fail.” See him walking on the waters of your trouble because He is there, and He is saying to you, “Fear not, it’s Me; don’t be afraid.”