Today's Reading:
2 Chronicles 17:1-18:34
Colossians 1:18-2:7
Psalm 116:1-11
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Focus Verses: Psalm 116:1-5
1
I love the LORD, for he heard my voice; he heard my cry for mercy. 2
Because he turned his ear to me, I will call on him as long as I live. 3
The cords of death entangled me, the anguish of the grave came upon me;
I was overcome by trouble and sorrow. 4 Then I called on the name of
the LORD : "O LORD, save me!" 5 The LORD is gracious and righteous; our
God is full of compassion.
Insight:
The
person who lives by faith trusts that God is not distant or
unconcerned. We believe he hears our voice and is responsive to our
cries for help. When we are tied up in the stress and struggles of our
lives, we call on the Lord. We believe he is gracious and righteous and
full of compassion, and so we ask him to save us. And because we cry out
to him, we experience his help. We discover that he does indeed hear
our cries and he does meet us in our times of need.
Having
faith, we are moved to prayer. Having prayed, we are more able to
recognize God's saving response. Having recognized God's response, we
grow in faith. Having grown in our faith, we find ourselves more apt to
pray and more confident in God's grace. Having grown more confident in
God's grace, we find ourselves more able to live by faith.
Response and Action:
I
believe God is gracious, righteous, and compassionate. Because I trust
him, I will cry out to him. Problems, heartaches, struggles, losses,
defeats, and threats will drive me to the God I trust. I will cry out to
him as long as I live.
O
God. I believe in your goodness, therefore I pray. Though the world is
filled with liars and lies, you speak and act in truth. Though the world
is full of death, you offer life. Though life is difficult and
demanding, you are attentive and faithful. Though the world is entangled
in the lie that everything is meaningless, you give meaning a purpose
and hope. Thank you for the salvation, the strength, and the
stability you have given through Christ Jesus, my Savior, who lives and
reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
Spiritual Formation Verses: Romans 12:11-12
11
Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the
Lord. 12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.
Resources:
Prayer: Finding the Heart's True Home
by Richard Foster
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