Justice

The Lord replies, “I have seen violence done to the helpless, and I have heard the groans of the poor. Now I will rise up to rescue them, as they have longed for me to do.” ~ Psalm 12:5 (NLT)

Won’t God provide justice to his chosen people who cry out to him day and night? Will he be slow to help them? ~ Luke 18:7a (CEB)

KEY IDEA:

God will certainly provide justice to his people -- so I don't have to worry about that.

PRAYER:

Dear Lord, thank you for seeing all the wrong that is done to people and for promising justice. I confess that I try to take justice into my own hands or speed it along according to my schedule. Please give me the patience to wait. I know that your timing is perfect and that anything I do on my own will only complicate matters and make things worse. You alone, with your broad divine perspective, have the wisdom to schedule justice. Amen.

Protected and Safe

O Lord, please, please, please do not withhold any of your mercy from me. Uncap the medicine bottles holding your always effective love and your pure faithfulness. Pour them all over me in order to forever protect me from all that threatens my life. ~ Psalm 40:11 (ABP)

Now may God himself, the God of peace, make you pure, belonging only to him. May your whole self—spirit, soul, and body—be kept safe and without fault when our Lord Jesus Christ comes. You can trust the One who calls you to do that for you. ~ 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24 (NCV)

KEY IDEA:

We look to God to keep us safe.

PRAYER:

Lord, I am so grateful to be under your care and protected by your power. I easily take all that for granted and at times stray too far from you. But because your reach is so great you continue to care for me even then. However, I don't want to push things. I want to remain close and surrounded by the blanket of your love and faithfulness. I'm trusting you. Amen.

God wants us!

The 5th Sunday of Easter

I will claim you as my own people, and I will be your God. ~ Exodus 6:7a (NLT)

See how very much our Father loves us, for he calls us his children, and that is what we are! ~ 1 John 3:1a (NLT)

KEY IDEA:

God wants us!

PRAYER:

Lord, so much of life is about dealing with rejection. But you never reject your people. To the contrary you are forever reaching out to us and claiming us as your own. In contrast, I too often reject your directions for living the best life possible -- a life defined by my walk with you. I suppose that in a sense means I'm rejecting you. How could I do that? I don't want to do that. Guide me to the point where I am able to live as your dearly loved child. That's who I am! Amen.

Joy

But someday you will hear happy voices and the sounds of parties and wedding celebrations. And when people come to my temple to offer sacrifices to thank me, you will hear them say:

“We praise you, Lord All-Powerful! You are good to us, and your love never fails.” ~ Jeremiah 33:10b-11a (CEV)

John the Baptist said: At a wedding the groom is the one who gets married. The best man is glad just to be there and to hear the groom’s voice. That’s why I am so glad. ~ John 3:29 (CEV)

KEY IDEA:

Sad days don't last so we should point to the source of joy -- Jesus.

PRAYER:

Thank you, Lord, for the love that never fails. You are my source of happiness. Forgive me for choosing to be stuck in the sadness that comes with doing my own thing without you. I need to be reminded of you faithful love. I'm going to focus on your goodness rather than the badness in the world. Amen.