Quotes from Gerrit Dawson

When we were lying helpless on the floor, he saw us. When we were crying from breathing the toxic air of this world, he took pity on us. When we were helplessly wallowing about in the blood and water of our birth, crying out for food, for care, he saw us, nodded and reached toward us. When we could have been left to die, when we could have been sold as slaves, the Father said, "Mine!" He took us in his arms and claimed us.

How often I take for granted the astounding news that God loves me with a callous, "Yeah, yeah, he loves me, now what about God giving me what I want for myself right now?" I can fly right over the stunning surprise of this news. God created me and God loves me. Personally, individually, deeply, eternally, passionately.

The night before his crucifixion, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat, but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail" (Luke 22:31-32). We get shredded. We get eaten up. We get disgraced. We get left. We think we are going to die. But then something amazing happens. We cry out to Jesus and then realize he has already been praying for us! His faithfulness upholds us.

Christ came to redeem us from under the laws of frail, fickle human love on which no one can depend,

Now the LORD I AM, Yahweh, The one true God, who is Father, Son and Holy Spirit, The LORD bless you and keep you; The LORD make his face to shine upon you, And be gracious unto you. The LORD lift up his countenance upon you, And give you peace, now and always. I conclude with an invitation: "And let God's people reply . . . " Then they answer heartily, "Blessed be the LORD I AM, who is Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen.

Why does it seem like there's something the matter with everything? Because there is something wrong with everything!"[2]

May the Lord God bless you and keep you from the torment of fear and anxiety. May He cause His face to shine upon you with power, love and a sound mind and give you grace to cast out fear through perfect love. May He lift up His countenance upon you with freedom as you tell Him every detail of your need in earnest, thankful prayer, and give you the peace that surpasses all understanding, as He keeps your heart and mind safe through Jesus Christ.[4]

The LORD is my chosen portion and my cup" (Psalm 16:5). What do you get when you come to the Supper, you compromised, double-hearted, double-minded, befouled cur? The triune God of grace himself is your portion. One drop would be beyond an eternity of deserving, but he pours in the unending wine of his presence. The cup overflows. The cup of salvation. Christ drank down the dregs of my sin and passed back the chalice filled with his precious blood, the wine of everlasting life.