Matthew 9: 13 “I desire mercy and not sacrifice.”
Isaiah 61: 1-3 [The Lord] “has sent Me to heal the broken hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives…to give them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning.”
Psalm 121:5 “The Lord is your shade at your right hand. The sun shall not strike you by day, nor the moon by night.
Joshua 1:5-6 “I will not leave you nor forsake you. Be strong and of good courage.”
Joshua 1:7 “Only be strong and very courageous…”
Joshua 1:9 “Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid nor be dismayed, for the Lord you God is with you wherever you go.”
Joshua 16 “Only be strong and of good courage.”
We cannot deny the negative feelings we have when we experience difficulties in life. Even if we believe that Jesus Christ actually experienced human sufferings beyond what most could endure, we can have trouble with trying to ‘hang in there,’ as prescribed by fellow believers. At these times I am prone to isolate and ‘hunker down’ to suffer through the pain. Yet, our God doesn’t encourage us to suffer in silence. Scripture after Scripture speaks His forceful voice of a compassionate, omnipresent God who is active in the lives of His faithful. Instead of a bloody sacrifice to Him, he desires that we give mercy especially in the difficulties of life. Though we may feel bereaved of His supernatural presence at times, He reminds us about His nature: I am a God who promises you healing and joy; I am a God who shields you; I am your God who is with you always. Funny, all He says we need to do is be strong and courageous, and even that is not left to ourselves for He, Himself, is with us wherever we go. I cannot get over how truly personal is our God.
Sixty-six books in a year 