Endure your trials as discipline

"Blessed are those who have kept the word with a generous heart and yield a harvest through perseverance."  ( See Luke 8: 15)

God rewards faithfulness, loyalty, steadfast love.

Create in us a pure heart

"In Christ we have redemption by his blood, the forgiveness of transgressions, in accord with the riches of his grace."  (Ephesians 1: 7)

Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures.

Our sins bring us sorrow

"So the LORD changed his mind about the punishment he had threatened to inflict on his people." (Exodus 32: 14)

Your promise of salvation bring us joy, O Lord.

Answer us O God

"Thus says the LORD:
In a time of favor I answer you,
on the day of salvation I help you;
I form you and set you."  (Isaiah 49: 8)

At the break of day, God will answer us.

The Lord of hosts is with us

"God is our refuge and our strength,

an ever-present help in distress.

Thus we do not fear, though earth be shaken and mountains quake to the depths of the sea,

Though its waters rage and foam

and mountains totter at its surging."  (Psalm 46: 2 - 4)

Psalm 46 is one of my favorite.  It is loaded with juicy promises.  Verses 2 - 4 is what I call crème de la crème of the Psalter.  Just consider the promises: 

When we are on the run from any distress, God is the Rock of Refuge to dash to.  When we are weak and exhausted by constant fighting in the family, pressure at work, debt, etc, God provides the strength to sustain us.

God is our present help in distress.  Note carefully the promise.  It is not - God is our future help in future crisis.  God provides His help here and now.  There is an immediacy to this promise.  Two days ago, I had a walk out in my favorite park.  At one moment, I wanted to exit the park to take a different route.  The edges of the ground were covered by ankle high grasses.  It was until I turned the corner that I saw a foot path.  Sometimes, God keeps us in suspense until the last moment.

Verses 3 and 4 state the perennial truth:  If God is in control, why worry.  He provides step by step guidance and moment to moment protection. If God is with me, it is accomplished.

These scriptures verses have ministered to my spirit today. I hope they minister to you too.

Come O Holy Spirit

"I will put my spirit within you so that you walk in my statutes, observe my ordinances, and keep them."  (Ezekiel 26: 27)

The Holy Spirit is the final solution for unrighteousness.

The Lord is my Shepherd

"Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil, for you are with me;
your rod and your staff comfort me."  (Psalm 23: 4)

"Fear is useless; what is needed is trust."  (Luke 8: 50)
The darkest valleys in my life's journey will not terrify me.