It is true for all of us..IN AN INSTANT our lives can change forever..
Tragedy so great it threatens to crush the life out of us, we find it hard to breathe
In that instant, we are reminded how vulnerable we are in ourselves, how dpendent on God
Proverbs 30:8-9 is a prayer we all need to have close to our hearts
“Keep falsehood and lies far from me; give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread. Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you and say, ‘Who is the LORD?’ Or I may become poor and steal, and so dishonor the name of my God.” (Proverbs 30:8-9, NIV)
When suddenly things go wrong we again become aware of the fact of God’s grace by which we live day by day, and that it is true that for everything we depend upon our Lord.
- THE DEPTHS OF DESPAIR
- THE CAUSE OF THE MISERY
- THE REASON FOR PRAISE
Readings reproduced on this page:
The Holy Bible: New International Version. 1996, 1984. Grand Rapids: Zondervan
Readings
Hebrews 12:1–13 (NIV84)
1Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.
2Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
3Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
4In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood.
5And you have forgotten that word of encouragement that addresses you as sons: “My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you,
6because the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes everyone he accepts as a son.”
7Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father?
8If you are not disciplined (and everyone undergoes discipline), then you are illegitimate children and not true sons.
9Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of our spirits and live!
10Our fathers disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness.
11No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.
12Therefore, strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees.
13“Make level paths for your feet,” so that the lame may not be disabled, but rather healed.
Text
Psalm 30 (NIV84)
1I will exalt you, O Lord, for you lifted me out of the depths and did not let my enemies gloat over me.
2O Lord my God, I called to you for help and you healed me.
3O Lord, you brought me up from the grave; you spared me from going down into the pit.
4Sing to the Lord, you saints of his; praise his holy name.
5For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime; weeping may remain for a night, but rejoicing comes in the morning.
6When I felt secure, I said, “I will never be shaken.”
7O Lord, when you favored me, you made my mountain stand firm; but when you hid your face, I was dismayed.
8To you, O Lord, I called; to the Lord I cried for mercy:
9“What gain is there in my destruction, in my going down into the pit? Will the dust praise you? Will it proclaim your faithfulness?
10Hear, O Lord, and be merciful to me; O Lord, be my help.”
11You turned my wailing into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy,
12that my heart may sing to you and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give you thanks forever.
