‘For a people shall dwell in Zion, in Jerusalem; you shall weep no more. He will surely be gracious to you at the sound of your cry. As soon as He hears it, He answers you. And though the Lord give you the bread of adversity and the water of affliction, yet your Teacher will not hide Himself anymore, but your eyes shall see your Teacher. And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying “This is the way, walk in it,” when you turn to the right or to the left.’ – Isaiah 30:19-20

There is a day when every tear bottled and wept will be wiped (Ps 56:8, Rev 21:4).

He has come, and He is coming again.

But in this paradoxical life of faith, God is no less gracious in the wilderness than in Zion.

It is the Lord Himself who has entrusted to us the bread of adversity, to form our appetites for Him, the Bread of Life. He has given the water of affliction, but also invites us to drink deeply of Him, the Living Water.

For those consuming this meal of adversity and affliction, He does not hide Himself. He is gracious, He answers, our eyes see and our ears hear. He has come, and He is coming again.

‘How precious is Your steadfast love, O God! The children of mankind take refuge in the shadow of Your wings. They feast on the abundance of Your house, and you give them drink from the river of Your delights.’ [Ps 36:7-8]

Lord, let us drink deeply from whatever cup You give. You who drank the cup the Father gave to You down to the dregs. We drink knowing that You go with us, You go before us, and You go behind us. Thank you, Jesus. In Your name, amen.

He has come, He is coming again,