80.4 Prayer In Great Distress

(Psalm 69:1-18)

Save me, O God! The water is up to my neck;
I am sinking in deep mud, and there is no solid ground;
I am out in deep water, and the waves are about to drown me.
I am worn out from calling for help, and my throat is aching.
I have strained my eyes, looking for your help.

Those who hate me for no reason are more numerous than the hairs of my head.
My enemies tell lies against me; they are strong and want to kill me;
They made me give back things I did not steal.
My sins, O God, are not hidden from you; you know how foolish I have been.
Don't let me bring shame on those who trust in you, Sovereign Lord Almighty!
Don't let me bring disgrace to those who worship you, O God of Israel!

It is for your sake that I have been insulted and that I am covered with shame.
I am like stranger to my brothers, like a foreigner to my family.

My devotion to your Temple burns in me like a fire; the insults which are hurled at you fall on me.
I dress myself in clothes of mourning, and they laugh at me.
They talk about me in the streets, and drunkards make up songs about me.

But as for me, I will pray to you, Lord; answer me, God, at a time you choose.
Answer me because you keep your promise to save.

Save me from sinking in the mud; keep me safe from my enemies, safe from the deep water.
Don't let the flood come over me; don't let me drown in the depths or sink into the grave.

Answer me, O Lord, in the goodness of your constant love; in your great compassion turn to me!
Don't hide yourself from your servant; I am in great trouble--answer me now!
Come to me and save me; rescue me from my enemies.

80.3 When I Preach His Word, I Can Trust In The Lord

(2 Timothy 1:8-14)

Do not be ashamed, then, of witnessing for our Lord; neither be ashamed of me, a prisoner for Christ's sake. Instead, take your part in suffering for the Good News, as God gives you the strength for it. He saved us and called us to be his own people, not because of what we have done, but because of his own purpose and grace. He gave us this grace by means of Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, but now it has been revealed to us through the coming of our Savior, Christ Jesus. He has ended the power of death and through the gospel has revealed immortal life.

God has appointed me as an apostle and teacher to proclaim the Good News, and it is for this reason that I suffer these things. But I am still full of confidence, because I know whom I have trusted, and I am sure that he is able to keep safe until that Day what he has entrusted to me. Hold firmly to the true words that I taught you, as the example for you to follow,and remain in the faith and love that are ours in union with Christ Jesus. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, who lives in us, keep the good things that have been entrusted to you.

80.2 Preach Despite Persecution

(Acts 5:17-21a)

Then the High Priest and all his companions, members of the local party of the Sadducees, became extremely jealous of the apostles; so they decided to take action. They arrested the apostles and put them in the public jail. But that night an angel of the Lord opened the prison gates, led the apostles out and said to them, "Go and stand in the Temple, and tell the people all about this new life". The apostles obeyed , and at dawn they entered the Temple and started teaching.

80.1 Courage Under Persecution

(Luke 12: 4-12)

"I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot afterward do anything worse. I will show you whom to fear; fear God, who, after killing, has the authority to throw into hell. Believe me, he is the one you must fear!

"Aren't five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one sparrow is forgotten by God. Even the hairs of your head have all been counted. So do not  be afraid; you are worth much more than many sparrows!

"I assure you that whoever declares publicly that he belongs to me, the Son of Man will do the same for him before the angels of God. But whoever rejects me publicly, the Son of Man will also reject him before the angels of God.

"Anyone who says a word against the Son of Man can be forgiven; but whoever says evil things against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven.

"When they bring you to be tried in the synagogues or before governors or rulers, do not be worried about how you will defend yourself or what you will say. For the Holy Spirit will teach you at that time what you should say."