I thank you that you have answered me and have become my salvation. The stone that the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone. This is the Lord’s doing; it is marvellous in our eyes. This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. Save us, we beseech you, O Lord! O Lord, we beseech you, give us success! ...You are my God, and I will give thanks to you; you are my God, I will extol you. O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures for ever. (Psalm 118: 21-25, 28-29)

The God of Moses, Isaiah, and Jesus is full of surprise and paradox. Our God delights in upending common sense. Our God undoes our typical definition of success and gives it sacramental meaning. Our God listens to our prayers and answers in ways we never anticipated.

Our God makes weakness a strength. Our God transforms physical poverty into spiritual prosperity. Our God takes death and fills it with light and life.

Those who the world has rejected God is ready to embrace and empower. Those on the edge of defeat God can inspire to victory. Those who have been defeated God can restore to honor, sacred memory, and transforming power.

Ours is a God of persistent, insistent, and encompassing love.