Daily Scripture Reflection
My safety and glory are with God, my strong rock and refuge. Mortals are a mere breath, and the powerful but an illusions; As the heavens tower over the earth, so God’s love towers over the faithful. Teach me, Lord, your way that I may walk in your truth, But you, Lord, are a merciful and gracious God, slow to anger, most loving and true. Rise up, Lord God! Raise your arm! Do not forget the poor! Lord, show me your way; lead me on a level path because of my enemies. I hate every hypocrite; your teaching I love. Strengthen me that I may be safe, ever to contemplate your laws. … let us rid ourselves of every burden and sin that clings to us and persevere in running the race that lies before us while keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus, the leader and perfecter of faith. For the sake of the joy that lay before him he endured the cross, despising its shame, and has taken his seat at the right of the throne of God. Consider how he endured such opposition from sinners, in order that you may not grow weary and lose heart. In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding blood. You have also forgotten the exhortation addressed to you as sons: “My son, do not disdain the discipline of the Lord or lose heart when reproved by him; for whom the Lord loves, he disciplines; he scourges every son he acknowledges.” Because of this, I, Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus for you Gentiles – if, as I suppose, you have heard of the stewardship of God’s grace that was given to me for your benefit, namely, that the mystery was made known to me by revelation, as I have written briefly earlier. When you read this you can understand my insight into the mystery of Christ, which was not made known to human beings in other generations as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit, that the Gentiles are coheirs, members of the same body, and copartners in the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel. In times past, God spoke in partial and various ways to our ancestors through the prophets; in these last days, he spoke to us through a Son, whom he made heir of all things and through whom he created the universe, who is the refulgence of his glory, the very imprint of his being, and who sustains all things by his mighty word. When he had accomplished purification from sins, he took his seat at the right hand of the Majesty on high, as far superior to the angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs. Beloved, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence in God and receive from him whatever we ask, because we keep his commandments and do whatever pleases him. And his commandment is this: we should believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and love one another just as he commanded us. Those who keep his commandments remain in him, and he in them, and the way we know that he remains in us is from the Spirit that he gave us.
Trust God at all times, my people! Pour out your hearts to God our refuge.
On a balance they rise; together they are lighter than air.
Do not trust in extortion; in plunder put no empty hope.
Though wealth increase, do not set your heart upon it.
One thing God has said; two things I have heard:
power belongs to God; so too, Lord, does kindness,
and you render to each of us according to our deeds.
As far as the east is from the west, so far have our sins been removed from us.
As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on the faithful.
For he knows how we are formed, remembers that we are dust.
Our days are like the grass; like flowers of the field we blossom.
The wind sweeps over us and we are gone; our place knows us no more.
single-hearted and revering your name.
I will praise you with all my heart, glorify your name forever, Lord my God.
Your love for me is great; you have rescued me from the depths of Sheol.
O God, the arrogant have risen against me; a ruthless band has sought my life;
to you they pay no heed.
Turn to me, have pity on me; give strength to your servant;
save this child of your handmaid.
Give me a sign of your favor: make my enemies see, to their confusion,
that you, Lord, help and comfort me.
Why should the wicked scorn God, say in their hearts, “God doesn’t care?”
But you do see; you do observe this misery and sorrow;
you take the matter in hand.
To you the helpless can entrust their cause; you are the defender of orphans.
Break the arms of the wicked and depraved;
make them account for their crimes; let none of them survive.
Do not abandon me to the will of my foes;
malicious and lying witnesses have risen against me.
But I believe I shall enjoy the Lord’s goodness in the land of the living.
Wait for the Lord, take courage; be stouthearted, wait for the Lord!
You are my refuge and shield; in your word I hope.
Depart from me, you wicked, that I may observe the commands of my God.
Sustain me by your promise that I may live; do not disappoint me in my hope.
You reject all who stray from your laws, for vain is their deceit.
Like dross you regard all the wicked on earth; therefore I love your decrees.
My flesh shudders with dread of you; I hold your edicts in awe.