Romans 5:3-5 And not only [so],

Romans 5:3-5
And not only [so], but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope: And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.
Reflection

We are promised that our sufferings will bear a fruit greater than the power of the suffering: we are promised genuine hope that does not disappoint! What glorious fruit! So then is suffering counted by Paul a reason for rejoicing!

If ye then,

If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him? (Matthew 7:11)
Rejoice, O believer! Rejoice in the unaccountably vast treasure of mercy the Lord showers upon His bride! He is the King of All and is faithful to reward His children. He has given you a throne! A robe of righteousness! A crown of victorious glory! Every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places is yours by the Father's hand. Give thanks, sing "Hallelujah," and proclaim the joy of His resurrection!

Nahum 1:7 The LORD [is] good,

Nahum 1:7
The LORD [is] good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and he knoweth them that trust in him.
Reflection

Not only is the Lord an unbreachable defence to those who find their identity and righteousness in Christ, but He knows intimately each whom He defends. He is aware of our every need and every weakness, and thus, we, His people, can be supremely confident in His ability to bolster us in the face of even the fiercest enemy. Rejoice, O believer, for He is our great shield and high wall of bastion!

1 Peter 5:7 Casting all

1 Peter 5:7
Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.
Reflection

Implicit in Peter's direction to the believer to cast away all cares to the feet of God is the truth that God Himself will care for them. God is powerful! He is sovereign, calling all matters into submission to His will! And He cares for us! If such a powerful God cares for us and our needs, can we fail to cast mastery of our cares and worries into His mighty hands

Psalm 61:6-7 Thou wilt

Psalm 61:6-7
Thou wilt prolong the king's life: [and] his years as many generations. He shall abide before God for ever: O prepare mercy and truth, [which] may preserve him.
Reflection

Christ Jesus, the King of all kings, will sit unopposed upon His throne for all eternity. His reign will be kept unto everlasting. His goodness and glory shall ever be the light of His realm. And joy! We shall reign forever with Him (Ephesians 2:6)! Righteous is our way and righteous is our Lord!

Exodus 19:5 Now therefore,

Exodus 19:5
Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth [is] mine:
Reflection

Once we have placed our faith in Christ, we are exhorted to follow His commands and allow Him to rule in our lives. From that moment, we are considered God's own possession and treasure. There is tremendous hope and peace in the promise to be called "a particular treasure" for the Almighty King who is lacking in nothing. How amazing is His gracious lovingkindness toward us!

"My Life, God's Message" —

"My Life, God's Message" — 2 Corinthians 3:3-6
Dear Father, all-sufficient God,

Let me be a letter from Christ written to people who need to hear the Good News, written not on paper with ink but on hearts with my loving attitudes and actions.

I claim no self-sufficiency, but I believe the sufficiency of your grace qualifies me to serve as a spokesperson for your new covenant. I hope through Christ that you might use me this way. Grant me this sufficiency as I rely totally on you.

Thank you that the covenant itself is not a written code that kills but a life-giving communication of the Spirit.

In the name of Jesus, confident of his sufficiency, I make these requests. Amen.

As one whom

As one whom his mother comforteth, so will I comfort you; and ye shall be comforted in Jerusalem. (Isaiah 66:13)
When the circumstances of life loom fierce and threaten to beat us down—when the seeming futility of our earthly endeavours brings sorrow oppressive, our God will be a comfort to us. He promises consolation. He promises to heal our hearts. He promises us strength in faith. He is our God and He is good!

For he that soweth

For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.Galatians 6:8-9
Reflection

If we sow the things of the flesh (that is, the things of sin), then we will reap eternal punishment; but if we sow the things of the Spirit (that is, the things of God), then we will reap eternal happiness and joy! As we sow the things of God and cultivate them we must keep pressing on. It may seem that our work is worthless, but in the end, we will reap eternal life with God. For what better harvest could we hope?

For this God

For this God [is] our God for ever and ever: he will be our guide [even] unto death. (Psalms 48:14)
When the storms of life assail us and we feel as though lost at sea, take heart, O Christian, take heart! Our Lord will never fail to lead us in the paths of righteousness, conforming us daily to the pure, holy, and loving image of His very Son, Christ our saviour!

For we are his workmanship

For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.Ephesians 2:10
Reflection

Well before the blood shed by His Son, God knew His children and their ways. By the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, His children were recreated and renewed in the promises of the Father. As new creations, we are commanded to live in such a way as to bring glory and honour to the Almighty God. May we live in such a way that is worthy of the tremendous sacrifice of Christ as the power of God works through us.

He that hath an ear,

He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.Revelation 2:7
Reflection

Life and life eternal! That is the promise of God to all His people. The redeemed will conquer and their reward is to eat of the tree of life forever! Their heavenly rest is won, enjoyed, and assured. No more fear. No more anxiety. No more suffering. They eat of the fruit of God and are comforted!

Incline your ear,

Incline your ear, and come unto me: hear, and your soul shall live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, [even] the sure mercies of David.Isaiah 55:3
Reflection

Everlasting is the covenant between God and His people. Evermore shall Christ rule upon the throne of David. His victory is won. His race is finished. Nevermore shall God's people look at the doom of history wondering, "Where is this looked-for salvation?" He has come! He has won! And we, His people, have seen Him!

Thy throne,

Thy throne, O God, [is] for ever and ever: the sceptre of thy kingdom [is] a right sceptre.Psalm 45:6
Reflection

The Lord is righteous and just; His kingdom will never end!

My Prayer: O Lord, I praise You! Thank you for being faithful even when I am faithless! Thank you for allowing me into Your everlasting kingdom. Keep my wandering heart close to You.

Know therefore

Know therefore that the LORD thy God, he [is] God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations; (Deuteronomy 7:9)
What a tremendous God we serve! This fitting description tells of our faithful and loving God who is Lord over all the earth and heaven. The Creator of all things could never love us more or less, for He is acquainted with all our ways. His grace does not extend to the Israelites alone, but to all who believe in every generation (cf. Gal 3:6-29). This is the God we serve! This is the God we worship!