There are times when God speaks words of encouragement into our lives, and moments when He is silent. Of course, when we hear those words of encouragement our lives are filled with smiles, but what happens during those moments of silence when we can’t hear God’s voice? When shadows of despair set in, and doubts begin to diminish all hope for a brighter future? When we’ve made a mess of things, and have hurt many people along the way? When we feel like we’ve lost touch with God? What then are we left with? Can we be certain that someone knows where we’ve been and what we’re going through? Can we be sure that it’s possible to live in hope again? Does anyone really care?

The answer to these questions is simple, but profound…

“Jesus Wept.” (Jn. 11:25)

This is the shortest verse in the Bible; yet it speaks volumes of the love that Jesus has for us. For it tells us that it hurts Him to see what has happened to this world; it tells us that it breaks His heart to see us suffer; it tells us that He never wanted things to be as they are, but only wanted the best for us; it tells us that God cares.

Perhaps you’re standing on the edge of ‘hurt’, and out of disgust and despair you’re saying to yourself, ‘What have I become?’

You might even think that it’s too late to turn back and start all over. In your eyes you may be a waste of life or an utter failure. But do you think Jesus looks at you like this?

Well, if Jesus saw you as worthless then He wouldn’t have died for you. That’s right; Jesus died for you, and didn’t regret one moment of it. Instead, while He was in agony and dying, He said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.” (Luke 23:34 NKJV)

Do you know what Jesus said right before He died?

He said, “It is finished!” (John 19:30 NKJV)

In other words, He opened the door of forgiveness to the entire world, bridging the gap that separated man from God. And now you have an opportunity to break free from the guilt of your past through Jesus Christ; you can start all over again. And the question of whether God loves you or not, has been answered in the following words:

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16 NKJV)

The question that remains now however is, are you finished? That is, are you finished wrestling with God? Are you finished trying to make it on your own? Have you had enough yet? You’ve seen what this world is all about and know its pain and sorrows all too well. Are you ready to put the nails down and surrender your life to Jesus?

Listen, you may not be able to undue the pain that you might have caused others in the past, but you can certainly start life afresh in Jesus Christ. You can be forgiven for all of your sins, if you would embrace the new life that Jesus wants to give you. But will you let Him usher you into a new world of hope and promise? He can wipe those tears from your eyes better than you can. And He will take your guilt and cast it into the sea of His love and mercy, if you ask Him to.

He’s knocking on the door of your heart right now. Let Him in…

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