You who have made me

see many troubles

      and calamities

will revive me again;

from the depths of the earth

You will bring me up again.

                Psalm 71. 20

(These words from the Psalms

do not just comfort

and bring strength,

but reveal God's faithfulness

         and His Presence.

God has not promised us

         a life of ease

         in this broken world,

but "I am with you.

       Do not be afraid.

       Even in this,

       even through this."

God is stronger.

God is greater than this.

Hold fast to Him.

  

O LORD,

You have given us Your Word,

not just to read

and meditate,

but to be strengthened

         and changed by it.

You don't just give us

     a far-off hope

     for what might happen,

but hope in You

         not circumstances,

a hope,

a strength,

of knowing You,

    on Whom

    we can stake our lives.

Please help us

   to bring Your name

   into this place today.