Pesevere, and be satisfied

Saturday, December 11, 2010
Devotions: Ps 30, 32, 42, 43; Isa 8:1-15; 2 Thess 3:6-18; Lk 22:31-38

I extol You, my God, for You have lifted me up and kept my enemies from rejoicing over me. You have answered and healed me. Let all the saints sing God's praises; for His anger lasts a moment, but His favor is lifelong. We may cry through a night, but joy comes with the dawn. Let YHWH be my Helper always. Lord, I will thank You forever! Blessed are all whose sins are covered, to whom YHWH imputes no iniquity. I waste away when I try to stonewall God; but when I confess my sins, God forgives my guilt and heals me from its ravages. God teaches us and makes us wise. Many are the pangs of the wicked, but steadfast love surrounds and protects all who trust in YHWH. I long for God like a thirsty stag in a desert land. Let my soul trust and wait patiently; I will again praise my God. He has not forgotten; flow with His timing, trusting His grace and faithfulness, and He will vindicate and bless! Lord, send out Your light and truth and let them lead me home to You.

YHWH directed Isaiah to take a large tablet and write, 'This belongs to Maher-shal-al-hash-baz' – which means 'The spoil speeds; the prey hastens.' Before this child can cry out to its mother or father, God was assuring the prophet, the king of Assyria would come and carry off the plunder of Samaria and Damascus. And God counseled Isaiah not to join in the vain thoughts of his contemporaries: 'Don't share in their conspiracy theories; don't fear what they fear. Put your focus on the Lord of hosts, and dread Him in His holiness. He will become a sanctuary, a stone of offense, a stumbling stone to the houses of Israel, Judah and Jerusalem. Many will stumble and fall and be broken in this manner, snared and carried away.'

Paul ended his second letter to Christians in Thessalonika: Shun the idle brother; imitate us, as we worked hard when we were with you. We earned our keep even as we shared the gospel with you. And we told you: those who want to eat must work. We hear now that some of you are busybodies, not doing any work. So we address them in particular: we command and exhort in the Lord Jesus the Messiah to do your work in quietness and to earn your own living. Don't become weary in doing good. If anyone refuses what we have directed in this letter, make note and have nothing to do with that person, that he or she may be ashamed and repent. Warn such people as brothers and sisters; don't look at them as enemies. Now, may the Lord of peace Himself give you peace at all times and in all ways. The Lord be with you all. I, Paul, write this in my own hand— This is how I write. The grace of our Lord Jesus the Messiah be with you all.

At the Last Supper, Jesus continued: 'Simon, Simon, behold: Satan demanded to have you, to sift you like wheat. But I have prayed for you, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers and sisters. Peter told Jesus, 'I am ready to go to prison or to death with You!.' But Jesus answered, 'Peter, I tell you, the cock will not crow this day until you deny three times that you even know Me.' Then Jesus addressed all His apostles: 'When I sent you out with no purse or bag or sandals, did you lack anything?' They say, 'No, we lacked nothing.' And Jesus went on, 'But now, let anyone who has a purse take it, and likewise your baggages. Let the one with no sword sell his cloak and buy one. For I tell you: this scripture must be fulfilled in Me: "And he was reckoned with transgressors," for all that is written of Me has its fulfillment.' They replied, 'Look, Lord, we have two swords.' And He said, 'It is enough.'