But God remembered Noah
and all the animals in the boat. He sent a wind to blow across the waters, and
the floods began to disappear.
So many are saying,
"God will never rescue him!" Interlude But you, O LORD,
are a shield around me, my glory, and the one who lifts my head
high. I cried out to the LORD, and he answered me from his holy
mountain. Interlude I lay down and slept. I woke up in safety, for
the LORD was watching over me. I am not afraid of ten thousand
enemies who surround me on every side.
Jesus asked, "How
can I describe the Kingdom of God? What story should I use to illustrate it?
It is like a tiny mustard seed. Though this is one of the smallest
of seeds, it grows to become one of the largest of plants, with
long branches where birds can come and find shelter." He used
many such stories and illustrations to teach the people as much as they were
able to understand. In fact, in his public teaching he taught only
with parables, but afterward when he was alone with his disciples, he explained
the meaning to them.
As they approached
Jericho, a blind beggar was sitting beside the road. When he heard
the noise of a crowd going past, he asked what was happening. They
told him that Jesus of Nazareth was going by. So he began shouting,
"Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!" The crowds ahead
of Jesus tried to hush the man, but he only shouted louder, "Son of David,
have mercy on me!" When Jesus heard him, he stopped and ordered
that the man be brought to him. Then Jesus asked the man, "What
do you want me to do for you?" "Lord," he pleaded, "I want
to see!" And Jesus said, "All right, you can see! Your
faith has healed you." Instantly the man could see, and he
followed Jesus, praising God. And all who saw it praised God, too.
When this happens --
when our perishable earthly bodies have been transformed into heavenly bodies
that will never die -- then at last the Scriptures will come true: "Death
is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is your victory? O
death, where is your sting?" For sin is the sting that results
in death, and the law gives sin its power. How we thank God, who
gives us victory over sin and death through Jesus Christ our Lord! So,
my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and steady, always enthusiastic about
the Lord's work, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless.
And I solemnly declare
to everyone who hears the prophetic words of this book: If anyone adds anything
to what is written here, God will add to that person the plagues described in
this book. And if anyone removes any of the words of this prophetic
book, God will remove that person's share in the tree of life and in the holy
city that are described in this book. He who is the faithful witness
to all these things says, "Yes, I am coming soon!" Amen! Come, Lord
Jesus! The grace of the Lord Jesus be with you all.
"But at last my
people will confess their sins and the sins of their ancestors for betraying me
and being hostile toward me. Finally, when I have given full
expression to my hostility and have brought them to the land of their enemies,
then at last their disobedient hearts will be humbled, and they will pay for
their sins. Then I will remember my covenant with Jacob, with Isaac,
and with Abraham, and I will remember the land. And the land will
enjoy its years of Sabbath rest as it lies deserted. At last the people will
receive the due punishment for their sins, for they rejected my regulations and
despised my laws." "But despite all this, I will not
utterly reject or despise them while they are in exile in the land of their enemies.
I will not cancel my covenant with them by wiping them out. I, the LORD, am
their God. I will remember my ancient covenant with their ancestors,
whom I brought out of Egypt while all the nations watched. I, the LORD, am
their God."
"Don't ever be
afraid or discouraged," Joshua told his men. "Be strong and
courageous, for the LORD is going to do this to all of your enemies."
But where then is my
hope? Can anyone find it?
·
John 5:6
When Jesus saw him and
knew how long he had been ill, he asked him, "Would you like to get
well?"
All honor to the God
and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, for it is by his boundless mercy that God
has given us the privilege of being born again. Now we live with a wonderful
expectation because Jesus Christ rose again from the dead. For God
has reserved a priceless inheritance for his children. It is kept in heaven for
you, pure and undefiled, beyond the reach of change and decay. And
God, in his mighty power, will protect you until you receive this salvation,
because you are trusting him. It will be revealed on the last day for all to
see. So be truly glad! There is wonderful joy ahead, even though it
is necessary for you to endure many trials for a while.
No, my daughters,
return to your parents' homes, for I am too old to marry again. And even if it
were possible, and I were to get married tonight and bear sons, then what?
We are here for only a
moment, visitors and strangers in the land as our ancestors were before us. Our
days on earth are like a shadow, gone so soon without a trace.
·
Job 5:16
And so at last the
poor have hope, and the fangs of the wicked are broken.
·
Job
6:8
"Oh, that I might
have my request, that God would grant my hope.
You will have courage
because you will have hope. You will be protected and will rest in
safety. You will lie down unafraid, and many will look to you for
help.
Rather, the LORD's
delight is in those who honor him, those who put their hope in his unfailing
love.
Hope deferred makes
the heart sick, but when dreams come true, there is life and joy.
Because of our faith,
Christ has brought us into this place of highest privilege where we now stand,
and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God's
glory. We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials,
for we know that they are good for us -- they help us learn to endure. And
endurance develops strength of character in us, and character strengthens our
confident expectation of salvation. And this expectation will not
disappoint us. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the
Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love. When we were utterly
helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us
sinners. Now, no one is likely to die for a good person, though
someone might be willing to die for a person who is especially good.
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