71.4 God The Savior Of Men In Distress

(Psalm 107:23-43)

Some sailed over the ocean in ships,
earning their living on the seas.
They saw what the Lord can do,
his wonderful acts on the seas.
He commanded, and a mighty wind began to blow
and stirred up the waves.
The ships were lifted high in the air
and plunged down into the depths.
In such danger the men lost their courage;
they stumbled and staggered like drunks--
all their skill was useless.
Then in their trouble they called their distress.
He calmed the raging storm,
and waves became quiet.
They were glad because of the calm,
and he brought them safe to the port they wanted
They must thank the Lord for his constant love,
for the wonderful things he did for them.
They must proclaim his greatness in the assembly
of the people
and praise him before the council of the leaders.

The Lord made rivers dry up completely
and stopped springs from flowing.
He made rich soil become salty wasteland
because of the wickedness of those who lived there.
He changed deserts into pools of water
and dry land into flowing springs.
He let hungry people settle there,
and they built a city to live in.
They sowed the field and planted grapevines
and reaped an abundant harvest.
He blessed his people, and they had many children;
he kept their herds of cattle from decreasing.

When God's people were defeated and humiliated
by cruel oppression and suffering,
he showed contempt for their oppressors
and made them wander in trackless deserts.
But he rescued the needy from their misery
and made their families increase like flocks.
The righteous see this and are glad,
but all the wicked are put to silence.

May those who are wise think about these things;
may they consider the Lord's constant love.

71.3 Not Children Anymore, But Grown-Up People

(Ephesians 4:14-16)

Then we shall no longer be children, carried by the waves and blown about by every shifting wind of the teaching of deceitful men, who lead others into error by the tricks they invent. Instead, by speaking the truth in a spirit of love, we must grow up in every way to Christ, who is the head. Under his control all the different parts of the body fit together, and the whole body is held together by every joint with which it is provided, so when each separate part works as it should, the whole body grows and builds itself up through love.

71.2 We Thank God For His Continued Help

(1 Corinthians 1:4-9) 

I always give thanks to my God for you because of the grace he has given you through Christ Jesus. For in union with Christ you have become rich in all things, including all speech and all knowledge. The message about Christ has become so firmly established in you that you have not failed to receive a single blessing, as you wait for our Lord Jesus Christ to be revealed. He will also keep you firm to the end, so that you will be faultless on the Day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is to be trusted, the God who called you to have fellowship with his Son Jesus Christ, our Lord.

71.1 The Apostles Urge Us To Hold Fast

(Acts 13:42-43)

As Paul and Barnabas were leaving the synagogue, the people invited them to come back the next Sabbath and tell them more about these things. After the people had left the meeting, Paul and Barnabas were followed by many Jews and by many Gentiles who had been converted to Judaism. The apostles spoke to them and encouraged them to keep on living in the grace of God.