Tag Archives: confidence

“His pleasure is not in the strength of the horse, nor his delight in the legs of the warrior; the Lord delights in those who fear him, who put their hope in his unfailing love.” (Psalm 147:10-11, NIV)

Today’s scripture reminds us that what impresses God is a person who reveres Him; a person whose hope resides in Him. 

What motivates us? Is it the approval of other people, or is it the approval of God? 

In whom (or what) does our hope reside?  Is it with our extensive network of friends; or is it in our heavenly Father?

Parents delight in the love, trust, and obedience of their children. Are we giving our Father reasons to delight in us?  – Luther

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“The Lord is my light and my salvation, whom shall I fear?” (Psalm 27:1, NIV)

At my 92-year old grandmother’s wake, her pastor noted that she would often quote today’s psalm; pause for effect; then answer confidently: “Nobody!”

If we live in the light of the Lord, we need not fear those who lurk in the darkness.  Though the agents of evil may snare us, the length of our captivity is limited, and our liberation is assured. 

Whom shall we fear? “Nobody!”  – Luther

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“Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?’” (John 11:25-26, NIV)

The world as we know it “whistles through the graveyard”; that is, it ignores all evidence that we, too, shall die. 

Our Lord offers us the only hope of life through death.  He, alone, is the resurrection and the life. 

Our Lord’s question: “Do you believe this,” is the litmus test. To answer in the affirmative does not keep us out of the graveyard but, because of Jesus, the graveyard to the believer becomes a passageway, not a destination. 

Live each day as one going from life to life.  – Luther

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