(Isaiah 55:10-13)
“My word is like the snow and the rain
that come down from the sky to water the earth..
They make the crops grow and provide
seed for planting and food to eat.
So also will be the word that I speak--
it will not fail to do what I plan for it;
it will do everything I send it to do.
“You will leave Babylon with joy,
you will be led out of the city in peace.
The mountains and hill burst into singing,
and the trees will shout for joy.
Cypress trees will grow where now there are briers;
myrtle trees will come up in place of thorns.
This will be a sign that will last forever,
a reminder of what I, the Lord, have done.”
Saturday, January 23, 2010
25.2 Peace Is The Fruit Of Justice
(Isaiah 32:15b-20)
The wasteland will become fertile, and the fields will produce rich crops. Everywhere in the land righteousness and justice will be done. Because everyone will do what is right, there will be peace and security forever. God’s people will be free from worries, and their homes peaceful and safe. (But hail will fall on the forests, and the city will be torn down.) How happy everyone will be with plenty of water for the crops and safe pasture everywhere for the donkeys and cattle.
25.1 Fruits of Nature Are Good
(Genesis 1:11-12)
Then he commanded, “Let the earth produce all kinds of plants, those that bear grain and those that bear fruit”- and it was done. So the earth produced all kinds of plants, and God was pleased with what he saw.
Then he commanded, “Let the earth produce all kinds of plants, those that bear grain and those that bear fruit”- and it was done. So the earth produced all kinds of plants, and God was pleased with what he saw.
Saturday, December 12, 2009
24.5 Lord, You Are My Friend
(Psalm 55:13-23)
But it is you, my companion,
my colleague and close friend.
We had intimate talks with each other
and worshiped together in the Temple.
May my enemies die before their time;
may they go down alive into the world
of the dead!
Evil is in their homes and in their hearts.
But I call to the Lord God for help,
and he will save me.
Morning, noon and night
my complaints and groans go up to him,
and he will hear my voice.
He will bring me safely back
from the battles that I fight against
so many enemies.
God, who has ruled from eternity,
will hear me and defeat them;
for they refuse to change,
and they do not fear him.
My former companion attacked his friends;
he broke his promises.
His words were smoother than cream,
but there was hatred in his heart;
His words were as soothing as oil,
but they cut like sharp swords.
Leave your troubles with the Lord,
and he will defend you;
he never lets honest men be defeated.
But you, O God, will bring those murderers
and liars to their graves
before half their life is over.
As for me, I will trust in you.
But it is you, my companion,
my colleague and close friend.
We had intimate talks with each other
and worshiped together in the Temple.
May my enemies die before their time;
may they go down alive into the world
of the dead!
Evil is in their homes and in their hearts.
But I call to the Lord God for help,
and he will save me.
Morning, noon and night
my complaints and groans go up to him,
and he will hear my voice.
He will bring me safely back
from the battles that I fight against
so many enemies.
God, who has ruled from eternity,
will hear me and defeat them;
for they refuse to change,
and they do not fear him.
My former companion attacked his friends;
he broke his promises.
His words were smoother than cream,
but there was hatred in his heart;
His words were as soothing as oil,
but they cut like sharp swords.
Leave your troubles with the Lord,
and he will defend you;
he never lets honest men be defeated.
But you, O God, will bring those murderers
and liars to their graves
before half their life is over.
As for me, I will trust in you.
24.4 The Lord Remains A Faithful Friend
(2 Timothy 4:16-18)
No one stood by me the first time I defended myself; all deserted me. May God not count it against them! But the Lord stayed with me and gave me strength, so that I was able to proclaim the full message for all the Gentiles to hear; and I was rescued from being sentenced to death. And the Lord will rescue me from all evil and take me safely into his heavenly Kingdom. To him be the glory forever and ever! Amen.
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