Don't give up

The Lord All-Powerful will destroy the power of death and wipe away all tears. No longer will his people be insulted everywhere. The Lord has spoken! ~ Isaiah 25:8 (CEV)

Let your hope make you glad. Be patient in time of trouble and never stop praying. ~ Romans 12:12 (CEV)

KEY IDEA:

Don't give up.

PRAYER:

Gracious Lord, thank you for taking away my disgrace. Let me not be discouraged. Instead, let me trust in you in my despair and suffering. Lift me from this dejected place. Renew my hope. Restore my joy. Give me patience in suffering. Help me persevere in prayer. May all glory be to you, my Savior. Amen. (Daiy Texts, Mount Carmel Ministries edition)

His righteousness

He suffered and endured great pain for us, but we thought his suffering was punishment from God. ~ Isaiah 53:4 (CEV)

Christ was without sin, but for our sake God made him share our sin in order that in union with him we might share the righteousness of God. ~ 2 Corinthians 5:21 (GNT)

KEY IDEA:

Jesus' great sacrifice resets our relationship with God.

PRAYER:

Thank you, gracious Father, for sending Jesus to be the go-between that fixes our relationship. It was never a problem on your end, but we were doing our own thing. And I confess that I still, too often, do my own thing and function in my own way. So I am replying on the righteousness of Jesus that forms the basis of our relationship. My goal is to let that righteousness remake me so that I become very Jesus-like. Amen.

Angry God?

A day is coming when people will sing, "I praise you, Lord! You were angry with me, but now you comfort me and are angry no longer." ~ Isaiah 12:1 (GNT)

God didn’t set us up for an angry rejection but for salvation by our Master, Jesus Christ. ~ 1 Thessalonians 5:9 (MSG)

KEY IDEA:

We don't relate to the Lord as an angry God who needs to be made happy, but as the loving and generous God who sets us up to receive the gift of his salvation.

PRAYER:

Lord, thank you, for you are loving and kind. I don't know how it is that I'm so afraid of you. Somehow I've gotten the idea that you are in a constant state of anger -- except when I do something good -- and you stop being angry with me for a few minutes. That is not only bad theology but it is insulting to you. Thank you for your understanding and your willingness to work with dense people like me. With your help I'm hoping to learn to live in your love. Amen.

Blessings from above

From your lofty house, you water the mountains. The earth is filled full by the fruit of what you’ve done. ~ Psalm 104:13 (CEB)

But he never left them without evidence of himself and his goodness. For instance, he sends you rain and good crops and gives you food and joyful hearts. ~ Acts 14:17 (NLT)

KEY IDEA:

No matter what happens we are never left without evidence of God's goodness extended toward us.

PRAYER:

Lord, you are always so kind. Even when you seem quiet you are still making yourself known and taking care of us. I'm kind of stubborn, though, and I like to have all the evidence and blessings packaged in my own special way. Forgive my arrogance and help me to see the benefit of the way you send your blessings. I know that you will not turn your back on me. Amen.