”Therefore I am now going to allure her; I will lead her into the wilderness and speak tenderly to her. There I will give her back her vineyards, and will make the Valley of Achor a door of hope. There she will respond as in the days of her youth, as in the day she …
How Long?: learning to pray in difficult times with Habakkuk
"How long, Lord, must I call for help,but you do not listen?Or cry out to you, “Violence!”but you do not save?Why do you make me look at injustice?Why do you tolerate wrongdoing?Destruction and violence are before me;there is strife, and conflict abounds.Therefore the law is paralyzed,and justice never prevails.The wicked hem in the righteous,so that …
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A Prayer to God for Help
"Many, Lord, are asking, 'Who will bring us prosperity?'Let the light of your face shine on us.Fill my heart with joywhen their grain and new wine abound.In peace I will lie down and sleep,for you alone, Lord,make me dwell in safety." (Psalm 4:6-8, NIV) "At day’s end I’m ready for sound sleep,For you, God, have …
Crying to God from the Depths: learning to pray with Psalm 130
Out of the depths I cry to you, Lord;Lord, hear my voice.Let your ears be attentive to my cry for mercy. (Psalm 130:1-2) The word translated in Psalm 130:1 as ‘depths’ refers literally to the deep places of the sea. In Isaiah 51:10, for example, the prophet asks the Lord: “Was it not you who dried up the …
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Finding Encouragement within Suffering: a reflection on Hebrews 12
Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children. For what children are not disciplined by their father? (Hebrews 12:7) Be encouraged: God disciplines His children because He loves them. Do not lose heart amidst your suffering. Instead, endure it sustained by the truth that God is lovingly at work even here. We …
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Matthew Erickson 