Friends in Time of Troubles

Monday, February 21, 2011

Friends in Time of Troubles

Happy are all the men who shall grieve over you, over all your chastisements, For they shall rejoice in you as they behold all your joy forever (Tobit 13:14).

"In the world you will have trouble, but take courage, I have conquered the world. I have told you this so that you might have peace in me.” -- John 16:33

Lord, now you are talking plainly, and not in any figure of speech. Now we realize that you know everything and that you do not need to have anyone question you. Because of this we believe that you came from God. (John 16:29-30)

OVERCOME!

Who is it that overcomes the world but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God? (1 John 5: 5)

I am writing to you, young men, because you have Overcome the evil one (1 John 2:13).

For whatever is born of God overcomes the world; and this is the victory that overcomes the world, our faith (1 John 5:4).

Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. (Matthew 5:4)

Comfort, comfort my people, says your God (Isaiah 40:1). By your endurance you will gain your lives (Luke 21:19).

Our Lord's words teach us that though we labour among the many distractions of this world, we should have but one goal. For we are but travelers on a journey without as yet a fixed abode; we are on our way, not yet in our native land; we are in a state of longing, not yet of enjoyment. Do you wish to know what we will have there? The Lord himself tells us when he says of his servants, Amen, I say to you, he will make them recline and passing he will serve them (St. Augustine).

And this is the testimony, that God gave us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He who has the Son has life; he who has not the Son of God has not life (1 John 5:11-12).

Behold, the Lord GOD comes with might, and his arm rules for him; behold, his reward is with him, and his recompense before him. He will feed his flock like a shepherd, he will gather the lambs in his arms, he will carry them in his bosom, and gently lead those that are with young (Isaiah 40:10-11).

From oppression and violence he redeems their life; and precious is their blood in his sight (Psalms 72:14).

"Do not fear, only believe" (Mark 5:36).

The hand of God

Have pity on me, have pity on me, O you my friends, for the hand of God has touched me!

Why do you, like God, pursue me? Why are you not satisfied with my flesh?

"Oh that my words were written! Oh that they were inscribed in a book! Oh that with an iron pen and lead they were graven in the rock for ever!

For I know that my Redeemer lives, and at last he will stand upon the earth; and after my skin has been thus destroyed, then from my flesh I shall see God, whom I shall see on my side, and my eyes shall behold, and not another.

My heart faints within me!

Job 19: 21 - 27

Blessed be God who has raised me up! May he be blessed for all ages! For in me they shall praise his holy name forever (Tobit 13:18).

Hear, O LORD, when I cry aloud, be gracious to me and answer me!

Thou hast said, "Seek ye my face." My heart says to thee, "Thy face, LORD, do I seek." Hide not thy face from me. Turn not thy servant away in anger, thou who hast been my help. Cast me not off, forsake me not, O God of my salvation!

I believe that I shall see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living!

Wait for the LORD; be strong, and let your heart take courage; yea, wait for the LORD!

Psalms 27: 7 - 9, 13 - 14

For everything there is a season, a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance (Eccl. 3:1,4).

I will turn their mourning into joy, I will console and gladden them after their sorrows (Jer 31:31). Those who sow in tears shall reap rejoicing. Although they go forth weeping, carrying the seed to be sown, they shall come back rejoicing, carrying their sheaves. (Ps 126:5-6)

Truly, truly, I say to you, you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice; you will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will turn into joy. (Jn 16:20)

Lord, turn our mourning into gladness and our sorrows into wholeness (Esther C:25).

Overcome - Get Up and Go!

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Monday, February 21, 2011

Friends in Time of Troubles

Grief Becomes Joy