Genesis 34; Mark 5; Job 1; Roman 5

¹² When Adam sinned, sin entered the world. Adam’s sin brought death, so death spread to everyone, for everyone sinned. Romans 5:12, NLT

My dad died last weekend. It wasn’t expected. This week has been focused on completing tasks: contacting friends and family; notifying professional contacts; meeting with the funeral home and cemetery; picking out his clothes.

Each day has held unexpected challenges. Logistical. Financial. Emotional. I’m sure everyone walks a similar road that first week. We bury him tomorrow. Many other things will be buried with him tomorrow too: the untold stories of his history, the future occasions we would have gathered together, the possibilities of what could have been. It’s hard.

I’m thankful God has met me through every step of this way. He’s poured out grace, strength and provision. He’s cleared a way for me to walk, and has helped me step over the obstacles. I cling tightly to him. He meets me where I am, today too, in the reading.

Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. ² Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God’s glory.

³ We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. ⁴ And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. ⁵ And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.

⁶ When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners. ⁷ Now, most people would not be willing to die for an upright person, though someone might perhaps be willing to die for a person who is especially good. ⁸ But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. ⁹ And since we have been made right in God’s sight by the blood of Christ, he will certainly save us from God’s condemnation. ¹⁰ For since our friendship with God was restored by the death of his Son while we were still his enemies, we will certainly be saved through the life of his Son. ¹¹ So now we can rejoice in our wonderful new relationship with God because our Lord Jesus Christ has made us friends of God. Romans 5:1-11, NLT

Father God, sometimes heaven seems far away–but it is very near. Thank you for your great love for us, that you would send your Son to die for our sins and ignorance–not only that we would be forgiven and restored, but that we could experience life in full with you here and after. Thank you that your gift is free on belief–and because of this, I know my dad is safe in your care. Help me, Lord, to guard my heart these coming weeks–to meet the new tasks, to process the deeper thoughts, to create my own legacy. Thank you for not abandoning me, but for meeting me in every step of this. I lift my head to hear your song, and I praise you.

Courtney (66books365)

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Deuteronomy 30; Psalm 119:73-96; Isaiah 57; Matthew 5

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Matthew 5:6 (NIV)

I wasn’t looking for a theme. Quite honestly, I was looking for a snippet of encouragement to get me through rough days–those days when things seem to go wrong and my reactions, thoughts, and words are not righteous at all. I was looking for a verse that I could say to myself, to bolster my faith through difficulties–even those that are self-inflicted. Fortunately for me, the Lord is more interested in the circumcision of my heart than quick fixes.

Now what I am commanding you today is not too difficult for you or beyond your reach. It is not up in heaven, so that you have to ask, “Who will ascend into heaven to get it and proclaim it to us so we may obey it?” Nor is it beyond the sea, so that you have to ask, “Who will cross the sea to get it and proclaim it to us so we may obey it?” No, the word is very near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart so you may obey it. Deuteronomy 30:11-14. (Emphasis mine.)

Righteous meditations, the running theme through Psalm 119(:73-96); he seeks it too.

Give me understanding to learn your commands … for I have put my hope in your word … your laws are righteous, and in faithfulness you have afflicted me … let your compassion come to me that I may live, for your law is my delight … I will meditate on your precepts … my soul faints with longing for your salvation, but I have put my hope in your word … preserve my life according to your love, and I will obey the statutes of your mouth … your word, O LORD, is eternal; it stands firm in the heavens.

Obstacles will come. Hardships exist. Like the psalmist writes in antiquity, it’s still true today: if your law had not been my delight, I would have perished in my affliction.

Lord, you say, “I live in a high and holy place, but also with him who is contrite and lowly in spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly and revive the heart of the contrite.” Isaiah 50:15

“Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished.” Matthew 5:17-18

The Lord is with me in all circumstances. When I seek him, he’s there to guide me and give me peace. He heals and restores.

In today’s reading, I found encouragement in nearly every line of scripture–and I am filled.

Courtney (66books365)