Wrapped in Your Tender Care

Faithful One,

We stand in awe of Your compassionate love. Ever faithful. Rich in abiding mercy. Wholly perfect in everything that You say and do. There is no sin you carry, no mistakes or imperfections. You always do the right thing. Your ways always measure up! You are holy and righteous, and the way that you express that holiness and righteousness is by loving us, your creation.

It is humbling to hear that all lives are yours, wonderfully made with purpose and intention. And that you deeply desire that none would perish, but that each one of us, your beautiful image-bearers, would be wrapped in your tender care and guided by your ways, to be vessels of your grace.

The weight of this truth brings us low. It is an intense reality to be seen and known by you, accepted in our imperfections. It is the cost of your gracious love, which draws us into confession. We confess, Lord, that we fall short of living in that love as stewards of your mercy. We confess that we have a hard time turning away from that which brings harm to us and others. We admit that sometimes we prefer the easy path of sin more than we like the challenges of taking up your yoke to learn from you.

But this morning, in our confession, we all confess that we long to abandon our sin for the one who never abandons us. We know that you are the only one who can save. You, Jesus, are our only hope. You, Jesus, are the only one we can fully trust, who will never fail us. 

So teach us Your ways. As we bump up against our inability to change on our own, let us instead embrace the transformation You offer. Counsel us, Holy Spirit. Bring about integrity, virtue, and holy conviction. Help us cling tightly to You, our very life. Draw us into holy communion with You and one another as Your church. As we work out our salvation in You, together, with fear and trembling, let us shine Your light with brilliance. 

We come before You now in quietness, Jesus. Help us to see You and hear Your voice!

Let it be so! Amen!