Don't Despair
The First Sunday in Lent
Jerusalem will be told: “Don’t be afraid. Dear Zion, don’t despair. Your God is present among you, a strong Warrior there to save you. Happy to have you back, he’ll calm you with his love and delight you with his songs. ~ Zephaniah 3:16-17 (MSG)
So take a new grip with your tired hands and strengthen your weak knees. Mark out a straight path for your feet so that those who are weak and lame will not fall but become strong. ~ Hebrews 12:12-13 (NLT)
KEY IDEA:
Don't despair because God will make a way.
PRAYER:
Indeed, Lord, you are our Savior -- and I am grateful. But I'm often right on the edge of despair.
I get worn out by the struggle and worry that I won't have enough strength to move forward. Help me to push forward without turning away. Help me to be strong. For you are the source of my strength. I'm going to trust you -- and only you --
to strengthen me. And it will all work out all right. Amen.
TRANSLATIONS
ABP = Authorized Boydston Paraphrase — my own freestyle biblical adaptation — somewhere between paraphrase, commentary, and sermon
CEB = Common English Bible (©2011, the Common English Bible)
CEV = Contemporary English Version (©1995, American Bible Society)
MSG = The Message (©1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson)
NIRV = New International Reader's Version (©1996, 1998, Biblica)
NIV = New International Version (©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011, Biblica)
NLT = New Living Translation (©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, Tyndale House Foundation)
