Stamped

 “The Lord looks from heaven; He sees all the sons of men. From the place of His dwelling He looks on all the inhabitants of the earth.” Psalm 33:13-14

We’ve all heard sermons suggesting that we see our sins as “stamped out” by the blood of Jesus Christ. Whenever I hear something like this, I picture a large, wooden-handled stamp such as were used in offices and libraries in the not-so-distant past. It would be inked with red ink, and in large letters a word would be stamped across a page.

“APPROVED.”

“DENIED.”

“PAID.”

“FINAL NOTICE.”

And perhaps, in the case of our sins: “FORGIVEN.”

Today while in prayer, I marveled at how I had the peace of God concerning traumatic events that various family members are dealing with—things that, if I allowed it, would cause me anxiety and unrest. I know the Holy Spirit has been working to enable me to give those things into God’s keeping. This is not something I ever could have done in the past, when I fell prey to every deception of the enemy, every emotional tide, every wind of discomfort or disruption.

As I pondered the change in me, I saw that big stamp coming down on top of photographs of my loved ones. I saw, as it were, a photo of my son and daughter-in-law struggling with infertility. I saw a photo of my daughter’s shoulder that is causing pain and the surgery that is scheduled. I saw a photo of a falling-apart-marriage, and the young children involved. I saw a photo of my frail, elderly parents, grey-haired, hooked up to oxygen, and leaning on canes. I saw a photo of my child embroiled in deep financial difficulties. I saw a photo of a son who has lost his way in his walk with Jesus.

In my mind, I took that big stamp in my own hand, and I stamped this word in bold letters across each one of those photos: “SOVEREIGN.”

Oh, my sisters, this is where the peace came from—acknowledging and accepting God’s sovereign will for each person. I declared to myself that He is sovereign over a barren womb. An injured shoulder. A broken marriage. Piles of debt. A prodigal. The end of life.

I was comforted to know that my Savior has all these things on His radar. He has not turned away from the hard things. He has not forgotten, and He has heard my prayers.

Today, won’t you declare His sovereignty over the hard places in your own life? Stamp it in indelible ink.

“HE SEES.”

Father, Your ways with us are past finding out. Strengthen our weak faith; mature us until we are strong and peaceful by the work of Your Holy Spirit. Amen.