Weighty conversations with John about current events seem to be happening on the daily lately.
Conclusion in last night’s — it’s unsettling in a form of a stranglehold if I forget where my true hope lies, and it’s unsettling enough to action when I remember Who I’m connected to and what I have to give. (And the reality that the Truth is the only reliable, infallible and constant in a world of confusing news and complicated information. Amen?)
Going back through recent weeks of my daily prayer book, I’m meditating on some especially comforting and bolstering verses. I’m sharing them here, in an effort to give you more ammunition for your fear, weariness or discouragement.
Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence? If I ascend to heaven, You are there; if I make my bed in Sheol, You are there. If I take the wings of the dawn, if I dwell in the depths of the sea, even there Your hand will lead me; Your right hand will lay hold of me. If I say, “Surely the darkness with cover me,” even the night will be light around me. The darkness is not dark to You, and the night shines as the day; darkness and light are alike to You. (Psalm 139:7-12)
Teach me your way, O Lord; I will walk in Your truth; Unite my heart to fear Your name. (Psalm 86:11)
But let all who take refuge in You be glad; let them ever sing for you because You defend them. And let those who love Your name be joyful in You. (Psalm 5:11)
May I prepare my mind for action and be self-controlled, setting my hope fully on the grace to be given to me at Your revelation, Christ Jesus. (1 Peter 1:13)
Lord my God, You are God of gods and Lord of lords, the great God, mighty and awesome, who shows no partiality and accepts no bribes. You execute justice for the fatherless and the widow, and You love the alien, giving him food and clothing. (Deuteronomy 10:17-18)
Lord, You are able to do more than I ask, think or imagine. Your power is at work. (Ephesians 3:20)
O Lord, be gracious to us; we have hoped in You. Be our strength every morning, our salvation in time of distress. (Isaiah 33:2)
Blessed be Your name, Lord God, for ever and ever, for wisdom and power belong to You. You change the times and the seasons; you raise us kings and depose them. You give wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding. You reveal deep and hidden things; you know what is in the darkness, and light dwells with You. (Daniel 2:20-22)
To fear You, Lord, is to hate evil; wisdom hates pride and arrogance and the evil way and the perverse mouth. (Proverbs 8:13)
You, O Lord Most High, are awesome, the great King over all the earth! You are the King of all the earth, and I will sing Your praise. You reign over the nations; You are seated on Your holy throne. (Psalm 47:2, 7-8)
O Lord, I know that You will maintain the cause of the afflicted and justice for the poor. (Psalm 140:12)
May I be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let my requests be known to You, O God. And may Your peace, which transcends all understanding, guard my heart and my mind in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6-7)
May I submit myself to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from You, O God, and the authorities that exist have been established by You. Consequently, those who resist authority have opposed Your ordinance, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. (Romans 13:1-2)
May I be faithful and fear You, O God. (Nehemiah 7:2)
May I remember those in prison as though bound with them, and those who are mistreated, as though suffering with them. (Hebrews 13:3)
I will trust in You, O Lord, and lean not on my own understanding; in all my ways I will acknowledge You, and You will make my paths straight. I will not be wise in my own eyes, but fear You and depart from evil. (Proverbs 3:5-7)
I know that You can do all things and that no purpose of Yours can be thwarted. (Job 42:2)
Whom have I in heaven but You? And there is nothing on earth I desire besides You. My flesh and my heart may fail, but You are the strength of my heart and my portion forever. Those who are far from You will perish; You have cut off all who are unfaithful to You. But as for me, it is good to be near You. I have made You, Lord God, my refuge, that I may tell of all Your works. (Psalm 73:25-28)
May we be deeply devoted to one another, honoring one another above ourselves. (Romans 12:10)
May I sanctify You, O Christ, as Lord in my heart; may I always be ready to give an answer to everyone who asks me, to give the reason for the hope that is in me, but with gentleness and respect. (1 Peter 3:15)
O Lord, You reign forever; You have established Your throne for judgment. You will judge the world in righteousness, and You will govern the peoples with justice. You will also be a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. Those who know Your name will trust in You, for You, O Lord, have never forsaken those who seek You. (Psalm 9:7-10)
You will keep in perfect peace those who commit themselves to be faithful to You, because they trust in You. (Isaiah 26:3)
Many are the sorrows of the wicked, but the one who trusts in You, O Lord, will be surrounded by Your lovingkindness. (Psalm 32:10)
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