Abide and persist in faith

New Guest: Like this one, most posts are devotional; those related to CAR BIZ can be found by searching the blog archives for that title. You might start with 'Welcome,' the first post, dated November 12, 2008, where I introduce myself and the blog. As you read, I encourage you to record any reflections or comments you may have, for the entries here serve best as the first remarks in a conversation.

Blessings and best wishes,
Dr. Will

Monday, June 07, 2010
Devotions: Ps 56, 57, 64, 65; Eccles 7:1-14; Gal 4:12-20; Mt 15:21-28

Lord, I pray for Your gracious blessing; I am opposed by violent enemies, but I put my trust in You. I know You keep my tears in a bottle, and record my days in Your book. I know that God is for me, and I will live under Your mercy and Your covenant. God Most High fulfills His purpose for me and puts to shame those who trample me underfoot. O God, be exalted above the heavens and let Your glory shine over all the earth. My heart is steadfast, Lord, by Your grace. And I will give my praise to You alone. Lord, be my Judge, and hear my complaint. Hide me from the secret plots of the wicked. Let the righteous rejoice in God and let all righteous mortals rejoice in Him. YHWH, praise is due to You; You answer us with dread deeds and great power. You care for the earth and all its creatures, and all creation shouts and sings together for joy in our God!

A good name is worth more than a rare ointment; a good death trumps a good birth. Better to go mourning than to go feasting, for death is the end of all mortals, and the wise lay it to heart. Sorrow is better than laughter, for by sadness of countenance the heart is made glad. [Lord, this is a hard saying; how shall I interpret this?] The wise invest their hearts in mourning; fools, in mirth. Better to hear a rebuke from a wise man than the song of fools. Oppression makes a wise man foolish, and bribes corrupt them mind. A man’s end is better than his beginning; a patient spirit is valued over a proud spirit. Don’t haste to anger, for anger lodges in the bosom of fools. Don’t ask why the old days were better than now—the question doesn’t arise from wisdom! Wisdom complements an inheritance, and both bless the living. Protection of wisdom is like protection of money; wisdom preserves the lives of those who have it. No one can straighten what God has made crooked. Rejoice in days of prosperity; and in days of adversity, remember: God has made both, and we have no certainty about what comes after us.

Paul wrote: Brothers and sisters, I urge you to become as I am, since I also have become as you are. You have done me no wrong. When I first came to Galatia, it was because of a physical ailment; yet you received me as if an angel of God, as if I were myself the Messiah Jesus. What has now become of that satisfaction? You would have plucked out your own eyes to help me then. Have I since become your enemy because I tell you the truth? My opponents make much of you, but they want to exclude you so they are magnified. For a good purpose, it’s always good to give credit where it is due. I am again in travail on your behalf, my little children—until the Messiah is formed in you! I wish I could be with you now and change my tone, for I am perplexed about you.

Jesus withdrew to the district of Tyre and Sidon. A Canaanite woman came to Him and cried, ‘Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David; my daughter is severely possessed by a demon.’ Jesus said nothing in reply; and His disciples begged Him to send the woman away. So Jesus said to here, ‘I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel.’ But she came closer and knelt before Him, saying, ‘Lord, help me.” Jesus answered, ‘It is not fair to take the children’s bread and throw it to the dogs.’ But the woman persisted: ‘Yes, Lord; but even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters’ table.’ Finally, Jesus said, ‘Woman, great is your faith! Be it done for you as you desire.’ And her daughter was healed instantly.