I wait for you O Lord!

"Wait for the LORD, take courage; be stouthearted, wait for the LORD!"  (Psalm 27: 14)

Wait! - 122108
I wait for the Lord with confident expectation.  I wait in the full awareness that hope never fails.  I wait for you O Lord.  I am bold in my expectation.

Keep me O Lord in constant and perfect peace

"You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you."  (Isaiah 26: 3 - NIV)

I like the expanded Amplified Bible version of the same scripture:
"You will guard him and keep him in perfect and constant peace whose mind [both its inclination and its character] is stayed on You, because he commits himself to You, leans on You, and hopes confidently in You."

I extracted the delightful commentary of Matthew Henry on Isaiah 26: 3:

" This is here the matter of a promise (v. 3): Thou wilt keep him in peace, peace, in perfect peace, inward peace, outward peace, peace with God, peace of conscience, peace at all times, under all events; this peace shall he be put into, and kept in the possession of, whose mind is stayed upon God, because it trusts in him. It is the character of every good man that he trusts in God, puts himself under his guidance and government, and depends upon him that it shall be greatly to his advantage to do so. Those that trust in God must have their minds stayed upon him, must trust him at all times, under all events, must firmly and faithfully adhere to him, with an entire satisfaction in him; and such as do so God will keep in perpetual peace, and that peace shall keep them. When evil tidings are abroad those shall calmly expect the event, and not be disturbed by frightful apprehensions arising from them, whose hearts are fixed, trusting in the Lord, Ps. 112:7 . It is the matter of a precept (v. 4): "Let us make ourselves easy by trusting in the Lord for ever; since God has promised peace to those that stay themselves upon him, let us not lose the benefit of that promise, but repose an entire confidence in him. Trust in him for ever, at all times, when you have nothing else to trust to; trust in him for that peace, that portion, which will be for ever.’’ Whatever we trust to the world for, it will be but for a moment: all we expect from it is confined within the limits of time. But what we trust in God for will last as long as we shall last. For in the Lord Jehovah-Jah, Jehovah, in him who was, and is, and is to come, there is a rock of ages, a firm and lasting foundation for faith and hope to build upon; and the house built on that rock will stand in a storm. Those that trust in God shall not only find in him, but receive from him, everlasting strength, strength that will carry them to everlasting life, to that blessedness which is for ever; and therefore let them trust in him for ever, and never cast away nor change their confidence."

Goodness and mercy will pursue me

"Indeed, goodness and mercy will pursue me all the days of my life;
I will dwell in the house of the LORD for endless days."  (Psalm 23: 6)

Thank you Lord for this sweet promise.  I claim it.  Now protect me from all evil so that I can enjoy your continual presence in your Church.

Christ Jesus is a just Judge

"From now on the crown of righteousness awaits me, which the Lord, the just judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me, but to all who have longed for his appearance."  (2 Timothy 4: 8)

We are called to serve a just Judge, Christ Jesus.  Have no fear or doubt of your reward.  It is guaranteed.

May your face shine upon us and be gracious to us

"O God, restore us;
light up your face and we shall be saved."  (Psalm 80: 4)

"The LORD let his face shine upon you, and be gracious to you!
The LORD look upon you kindly and give you peace!" (Numbers 6: 25 - 26)

My God, in you I trust and you have not failed me

"To you, O LORD, I lift up my soul,
my God, in you I trust;
do not let me be disgraced;
do not let my enemies gloat over me.
No one is disgraced who waits for you,
but only those who are treacherous without cause."  (Psalm 25: 1 - 3)

I trust in you my God.  I shall not be put to shame.  I trust in you to pardon my sins and blot out my guilt.  I trust in you to provide me the peace and power that I need to live a victorious life day by day.  I rely on you to protect me every moment and every step of my life.  I rely on you to provide  all my needs.  One thing I ask for from you, O Lord.  This one thing I trust  you for:  to enjoy your constant presence all the days of my life.  You created me with a purpose.  I trust in you to lead and guide me to this purpose.

I believe in your word.  I have trusted you in the past and you have  vindicated me.  I will wait for you joyfully till the time of fulfillment comes.  Thank you Lord.

All scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching

"All scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for refutation, for correction, and for training in righteousness, so that one who belongs to God may be competent, equipped for every good work."  (2 Timothy 3: 16 - 17)

On Inspiration, Knapp writes:  "An extraordinary divine agency upon teachers while giving instruction, whether oral or written, by which they were taught how and what they should speak or write."

This is my experience.

The Holy Spirit is the source of all inspiration and power.

Faith comes from hearing

"Thus faith comes from what is heard, and what is heard comes through the word of Christ."  (Romans 10: 17)

Although faith is a pure gift of God, God has nevertheless provided that the only way we obtain this treasure is through the preached or written word of God.  This is the way we received our faith.  This is the manner we can share in the mission of Christ to spread the faith.

"I have chosen you from the world to go and bear fruit that will last."  (John 15: 16, 19)
"I will bear a witness to you in the world, O Lord.  I will spread the knowledge of your name among my brothers, alleluia!)  (Psalm 17: 50; 21: 23)

How do I participate today in the Great Commission?
Lector, Teaching, Blog, Twitter, Email, Texting, and Conversation, Promised Cards.  When I become aware that these are the ordinary providence to sow the seed of faith, I am motivated to do it better.

Blessed are those who have been invited to the Wedding of the Lamb

"Then the angel said to me, “Write this: Blessed are those who have been called to the wedding feast of the Lamb.” And he said to me, “These words are true; they come from God.”  (Revelation 19: 9)

The Wedding Feast of the Lamb is the Eucharistic Feast, the Mass. Those who are invited to attend are to consider themselves very happy, honored and indeed to be envied.  To "eat bread in the kingdom" is one of the greatest blessings in life.

How come it that so many miss this point?  In Isaiah 55: 1 -2, God issues invitation to grace  to all in these words:

"All you who are thirsty,
come to the water!
You who have no money,
come, buy grain and eat;
Come, buy grain without money,
wine and milk without cost!
Why spend your money for what is not bread;
your wages for what does not satisfy?
Only listen to me, and you shall eat well,
you shall delight in rich fare."  (Isaiah 55: 1 - 2)

The Wedding Feast of the Lamb is the Eucharist where we eat Bread in the Kingdom.  The gift, which is free is  most precious and the Giver of the best Gift offers Himself as the Gift.  In the Eucharist, We sit in table with Christ our High Priest who gives Himself to us.

Firmly resolve on this in your mind

"Remember, you are not to prepare your defense beforehand,
 for I myself shall give you a wisdom in speaking that all your adversaries will be powerless to resist or refute."  (Luke 21: 14 -15)

When you wake up in the morning and stand before God in prayer, there  are a number of truths that you must affirm strongly in your mind. Here are my favorites:

This is the day the Lord has made, I shall be glad and rejoice in it.
I shall serve the Lord today.
The Lord is my Good Shepherd, I shall lack nothing today.
No fears, worries or doubts today.

Resolve in your mind from the first moment of your day and let it be a rule never to be departed to trust in God's Providence every step and every moment of this day.

I found an interesting commentary on Luke 21: 14 - 15 in Matthew Henry Online Commentary:

" "God will stand by you, and own you, and assist you, in your trials; you are his advocates, and you shall be well furnished with instructions, v. 14, v. 15. Instead of setting your hearts on work to contrive an answer to informations, indictments, articles, accusations, and interrogatories, that will be exhibited against you in the ecclesiastical and civil courts, on the contrary, settle it in your hearts, impress it upon them, take pains with them to persuade them not to meditate before what you shall answer; do not depend upon your own wit and ingenuity, your own prudence and policy, and do not distrust or despair of the immediate and extraordinary aids of the divine grace. Think not to bring yourselves off in the cause of Christ as you would in a cause of your own, by your own parts and application, with the common assistance of divine Providence, but promise yourselves, for I promise you, the special assistance of divine grace: I will give you a mouth and wisdom.’’ This proves Christ to be God; for it is God’s prerogative to give wisdom, and he it is that made man’s mouth. Note, First, A mouth and wisdom together completely fit a man both for services and sufferings; wisdom to know what to say, and a mouth wherewith to say it as it should be said. It is a great happiness to have both matter and words wherewith to honour God and do good; to have in the mind a storehouse well furnished with things new and old, and a door of utterance by which to bring them forth. Secondly, Those that plead Christ’s cause may depend upon him to give them a mouth and wisdom, which way soever they are called to plead it, especially when they are brought before magistrates for his name’s sake. It is not said that he will send an angel from heaven to answer for them, though he could do this, but that he will give them a mouth and wisdom to enable them to answer for themselves, which puts a greater honour upon them, which requires them to use the gifts and graces Christ furnishes them with, and redounds the more to the glory of God, who stills the enemy and the avenger out of the mouths of babes and sucklings. Thirdly, When Christ gives to his witnesses a mouth and wisdom, they are enabled to say that both for him and themselves which all their adversaries are not able to gainsay or resist, so that they are silenced, and put to confusion. This was remarkably fulfilled presently after the pouring out of the Spirit, by whom Christ gave his disciples this mouth and wisdom, when the apostles were brought before the priest sand rulers, and answered them so as to make them ashamed, Acts. 4, , 5, and 6.[3.]"

You will face an ordeal for 10 days

"Do not be afraid of anything that you are going to suffer. Indeed, the devil will throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will face an ordeal for ten days. Remain faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life."  (Revelation 2: 10)

The test will be for a short duration but the reward will be eternal.

 "Consider it all joy, my brothers, when you encounter various trials,
for you know that the testing* of your faith produces perseverance.
And let perseverance be perfect, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing."  (James 1: 2 - 4)

Be joyful in trial and persevere till the last because you know that the expected end will be good.

You can never outdo God in generosity

"For those others have all made offerings from their surplus wealth, but she, from her poverty, has offered her whole livelihood.”  (Luke 21: 4)

Was this widow acquainted with the story of the widow of Zarephath?  The widow of Zarephath gave to Prophet Elijah the last morsel of food in her home.  The Lord rewarded her for this and throughout the famine she and her son never lacked food.

Complete trust in God's providence is the key to joyous living.  As you trust Jesus, your generosity to Him grows.  You then learn from experience that you can never outdo God in generosity.

I came into the world, to testify to the truth

"For this I was born and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice.”  (John 18: 27)

Jesus is the truth, the way and the life.  If He came to the world to testify to the truth, it means that He came to bear witness to Himself and His mission.  He is the Son of God, the King of Kings and the Savior of all mankind.

The disciple of Jesus must also bear witness to the same reality.

"I have chosen you from the world to go and bear fruit that will last."  (John 15: 16, 19)
"I will bear a witness to you in the world, O Lord.  I will spread the knowledge of your name among my brother."  (Psalm 17: 50; 21: 23)

My Lord trains my hands for battle, my fingers for war

"Blessed be the LORD, my rock,
who trains my hands for battle,
my fingers for war."  (Psalm 144: 1)

My God is my teacher.  He trains in the art of spiritual warfare.   I must endeavor to be a very docile student.

But why does my Teacher teach me?

"You have also forgotten the exhortation addressed to you as sons:
“My son, do not disdain the discipline of the Lord
or lose heart when reproved by him;
for whom the Lord loves, he disciplines;
he scourges every son he acknowledges.”
Endure your trials as “discipline”; God treats you as sons. For what “son” is there whom his father does not discipline?
If you are without discipline, in which all have shared, you are not sons but bastards.
Besides this, we have had our earthly fathers to discipline us, and we respected them. Should we not [then] submit all the more to the Father of spirits and live?
They disciplined us for a short time as seemed right to them, but he does so for our benefit, in order that we may share his holiness.
At the time, all discipline seems a cause not for joy but for pain, yet later it brings the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who are trained by it.
So strengthen your drooping hands and your weak knees."  (Hebrews 12: 5 - 12)

"Those whom I love, I reprove and chastise. Be earnest, therefore, and repent."  (Revelation 3: 19)

By what method does my Teacher teach me?  Divine pedagogy is pervasive and could be stressful.  It is at the same time teaching and continuous testing.  The goal is for you to score 100% like Jesus Christ.

"Consider it all joy, my brothers, when you encounter various trials,
for you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.
And let perseverance be perfect, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing."  (James 1: 2 - 4)

The lessons are many and hard.  The core of the curriculum includes:

“Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are they who mourn,
for they will be comforted.
Blessed are the meek,
for they will inherit the land.
Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be satisfied.
Blessed are the merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.
Blessed are the clean of heart,
for they will see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called children of God.
Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you and utter every kind of evil against you [falsely] because of me.
Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven.h Thus they persecuted the prophets who were before you."  Matthew 5: 3 - 10)

When does my Teacher?

Always and Everywhere.  Using all Circumstances.

"Grant O Lord, that I too may learn to turn all the circumstances and events of my life into occasions of loving you and serving the Church, the Pope and all souls with joy and simplicity; lighting up the pathways of this earth with faith and love."  [St Josemaria Escriva]

"My sheep hear my voice; I know them, and they follow me." (John 10: 27)

"My sheep hear my voice; I know them, and they follow me."  (John 10: 27)

Yes Lord, I listen to your voice in the Bible.  I listen to it in the Eucharist.  I hear it in my heart.  Yes, I will follow you wherever you go.  Help me Jesus.

Now that you know what makes for peace

“If this day you only knew what makes for peace—but now it is hidden from your eyes."  (Luke 19: 42)

Lord Jesus, what is it that makes for peace?
The Beatitudes!

“Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are they who mourn,
for they will be comforted.
Blessed are the meek,
for they will inherit the land.
Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be satisfied.
Blessed are the merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.
Blessed are the clean of heart,
for they will see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called children of God.
Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you and utter every kind of evil against you [falsely] because of me.
Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven.h Thus they persecuted the prophets who were before you."  Matthew 5: 3 - 10)

Lord, but this is a very tall order.  Who can do this?
Nobody.  But with my grace all becomes possible.  Saints are those who know that they cannot do anything on their own.  So they ask me.  Whenever anybody approaches my throne of grace with confidence and ask me, I answer.
Thank you Lord.

Holy, holy, holy is the Lord

"“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God almighty,
who was, and who is, and who is to come.”  (Revelation 4: 8)

God is supremely holy.  How do we glorify God's awesome holiness?

"Hallelujah!
Praise God in his holy sanctuary;
give praise in the mighty dome of heaven.
Give praise for his mighty deeds,
praise him for his great majesty.
Give praise with blasts upon the horn,
praise him with harp and lyre.
Give praise with tambourines and dance,
praise him with strings and pipes.
Give praise with crashing cymbals,
praise him with sounding cymbals.
Let everything that has breath
give praise to the LORD
Hallelujah!"  (Psalm 150: 1 - 6)

I am glad that the Lord chastises me

"Those whom I love, I reprove and chastise. Be earnest, therefore, and repent."  (Revelations 3: 19)

I am glad that the Lord  chastises me so that I may be wise.  But Lord, chastise me not in your anger for I am a weak man.

"You have also forgotten the exhortation addressed to you as sons:
“My son, do not disdain the discipline of the Lord
or lose heart when reproved by him;
for whom the Lord loves, he disciplines;
he scourges every son he acknowledges.
Endure your trials as “discipline”; God treats you as sons. For what “son” is there whom his father does not discipline?
If you are without discipline, in which all have shared, you are not sons but bastards.
Besides this, we have had our earthly fathers to discipline us, and we respected them. Should we not [then] submit all the more to the Father of spirits and live?
They disciplined us for a short time as seemed right to them, but he does so for our benefit, in order that we may share his holiness.
At the time, all discipline seems a cause not for joy but for pain, yet later it brings the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who are trained by it."  (Hebrews 12: 5 - 11)

Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me

"Jesus, Son of David, have pity on me!”  (Luke 18: 38)

The blind man was willing to take the chance as Jesus passed, while Jesus was still within earshot to make his plea, "Have pity on me."  This very day, I am expecting Jesus to pass close to me.  Will I recognize Him?  Will I seize the opportunity to plead for His mercy?

Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me.  I believe you are whom you say you are.  I believe you can help me.  Thank you Jesus.

My inheritance is fair indeed

"LORD, my allotted portion and my cup,
you have made my destiny secure.
*Pleasant places were measured out for me;
fair to me indeed is my inheritance."  (Psalm 16: 5 - 6)

Thank you gracious God for choosing my allotted portion and my cup for me.  Like a child, I do not know what is best for me.  You know everything.  I trust you to choose the very best for me.  Thank you for measuring out very pleasant places for me.  My inheritance is very fair indeed.  Thank you Father.

"One thing I ask of the LORD;
this I seek:
To dwell in the LORD’s house
all the days of my life,
To gaze on the LORD’s beauty,
to visit his temple."  (Psalm 27: 4)

I ask this one thing of the Lord.  The Lord has granted this desire of my heart.

"You set a table before me
in front of my enemies;
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
Indeed, goodness and mercy will pursue me
all the days of my life;
I will dwell in the house of the LORD
for endless days."  (Psalm 23: 5 - 6)

O my friends, what can I say?  This is the Lord's doing.  I shall give thanks and praise Him.