“And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them: then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you.

Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing.

And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God.

Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: Blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.

And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book:

But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; 

and that believing ye might have life through his name.” JOHN 20:26-31

When we think of our blessings and being blessed, we sometimes, through circumstance that are just natural occurrences on the human journey, even though, when we walk these rough paths, it feels anything other than natural.

I have not written in quite a while due to just such a journeyings on my own, which have been nothing in comparison to what some dear others have recently trod.

We have those days when our hearts are so burdened, our minds so tortured, and our souls so weary that we struggle to find hope, and even an ounce faith, even though we know that is there.

Can be a daunting task trying hard to hold on to that faith through the driving rain and howling wind, and it is so hard to hear that still small voice assuring us that he is still there.

No howling wind, soaking rain or spiritual storm of the enemy, no worry or fear brought about by the illness of a loved one, not the uncertainty of life, or the absolute darkness of death lurking, nothing in this universe or all of being will prevent that simple truth, He is there.

And even more so, He knew.

He knew before the foundations of this very earth were lain, before the moon, the stars, and the sun were in place.

Before the sea, and ocean, before the waters were commanded to keep their place.

Before the first song of any bird, before Adam, before Eve.

Before the creation of everything which we now see.

Before it all, He knew you and He knew your today.

I always love to point this out, and feel it is the crux of my entire ministry and purpose on this earth, to be a voice, if you will, in these last days, reminding us all of that truth.

“As the lily among the thorns…” as he gave us those words, we would know surely life would have many thorns.

But His beauty, love, peace, and grace will be found in the middle of those twisted thorns and the hardest paths traveled in life often lead to the very wayside to meet with Jesus, who is already there. bringing us into a deeper relationship with him and renewing us in our faith, perseverance, and hope.

As he gave us comfort in his words that we too, must be courageous, as He had overcome the world, through Him, we also overcome and which that we will be given wonderful gifts in eternity, for every tear shed we will have joy unspeakable.

For every persecution we will have victory and exhortation.

As the disciples had witnessed and endured the most horrific loss of their friend, their teacher.

They also endured what they thought was the end of their very Savior, what they would have undoubtedly felt was the of end of all hope, for all humanity.

That perceived end was truly the beginning of so much greater, the redemption of all willing to be redeemed.

I don’t think we can even truly imagine the suffering experienced in their hearts, minds, and spirits but as Jesus resurrected appearing to them, giving them new hope, new vision, and a wonderful word for us to cling too as we too suffer.

We have the wonderful knowledge in knowing that no matter the state of our lives or what river rages against us that he will come, and he will get us safety to the other side.

Just as he came to the disciples, and even though we do not see him in the natural, we believe and, in that belief, we know that we are blessed.

We are blessed, even though we have never seen, touched, or sat at his blessed feet as Mary, in the physical realm.

We have been blessed in the spiritual realm through that belief and one day when this mortal life is over, we will be rewarded beyond measure as we begin our eternal one.

Know today, that He is your fortress, your high tower, your deliverer, your peace, your joy, your strength, and your light.

He is and will be whatever you need to navigate and finish this course, because “faithful is he who hath promised”.

And as much as I would love to end with some totally ancient, obscure, and archaic verse, which I adore, this which you have heard often, must be said yet again, this particular line, which will be in bold, has burned in my spirit for this post, so please, hear it, believe it, and accept it.

“For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,

Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” ROMANS 8:38,39

I feel He wants you to remember that today, rest in that, and encourage yourself in that.

Nothing, absolutely nothing, in heaven, in hell, in earth, or that was or will ever be is capable of separating you from his love and there is no greater, blessed state to be.

Hold onto Him as we hold onto each other and together, we will make it home.

As always, thank you for spending a little time with me, I am forever grateful to those who read, thank you for your patience while I was unable to post.

Have a blessed day and remember because you have him, today is blessed and you are blessed and blessed you will forever be.

NBJ/2024 Rev. N Brown Johnson