Psalm 16
(A special psalm by David)
The Best Choice

Protect me, LORD God!  I run to you for safety, and I have said, "Only you are my Lord!  Every good thing I have is a gift from you."

Your people are wonderful, and they make me happy, but worshipers of other gods will have much sorrow.  I refuse to offer sacrifices of blood to those gods or worship in their name.

You, LORD, are all I want!  You are my choice, and you keep me safe.  You make my life pleasant, and my future is bright.

I praise you, LORD, for being my guide.  Even in the darkest night, your teachings fill my mind.  I will always look to you, as you stand beside me and protect me from fear.  With all my heart, I will celebrate, and I can safely rest.

I am your chosen one.  You won't leave me in the grave or let my body decay.  You have shown me the path to life, and you make me glad by being near to me.  Sitting at your right side, I will always be joyful.

Psalm 43
A Prayer in Times of Trouble

Show that I am right, God! Defend me against everyone who doesn't know you; rescue me from each of those deceitful liars.  I run to you for protection.  Why have you turned me away? Why must enemies mistreat me and make me sad?

Send your light and your truth to guide me. Let them lead me to your house on your sacred mountain. Then I will worship at your altar because you make me joyful. You are my God, and I will praise you. Yes, I will praise you as I play my harp.

Why am I discouraged? Why am I restless? I trust you! And I will praise you again because you help me, and you are my God.

Psalm 130
(A song for worship)
Trusting the LORD in Times of Trouble

From a sea of troubles I call out to you, LORD.  Won't you please listen as I beg for mercy?

If you kept record of our sins, no one could last long. But you forgive us, and so we will worship you. With all my heart, I am waiting, LORD, for you! I trust your promises.

I wait for you more eagerly than a soldier on guard duty waits for the dawn. Yes, I wait more eagerly than a soldier on guard duty waits for the dawn. 

Israel, trust the LORD! He is always merciful, and he has the power to save you. Israel, the LORD will save you from all of your sins.

Isaiah 61:1-4
The Good News of Victory

The Spirit of the LORD God has taken control of me! The LORD has chosen and sent me to tell the oppressed the good news, to heal the brokenhearted, and to announce freedom for prisoners and captives. This is the year when the LORD God will show kindness to us and punish our enemies. The LORD has sent me to comfort those who mourn, especially in Jerusalem.  He sent me to give them flowers in place of their sorrow, olive oil in place of tears, and joyous praise in place of broken hearts. They will be called "Trees of Justice," planted by the LORD to honor his name.  Then they will rebuild cities that have been in ruins for many generations.

Jeremiah 15:10-21
Jeremiah Complains

I wish I had never been born!  I'm always in trouble with everyone in Judah. I never lend or borrow money, but everyone curses me just the same. Then the LORD replied, "I promise to protect you, and when disaster comes, even your enemies will beg you for help."

The Enemy Cannot Be Defeated

The LORD told me to say: People of Judah, just as you can't break iron mixed with bronze, you can't defeat the enemies that will attack from the north.  I will give them everything you own, because you have sinned everywhere in your country.  My anger is a fire that cannot be put out, so I will make you slaves of your enemies in a foreign land.

 Jeremiah Complains Again

You can see how I suffer insult after insult, all because of you, LORD. Don't be so patient with my enemies; take revenge on them before they kill me. When you spoke to me, I was glad to obey, because I belong to you, the LORD All-Powerful. I don't go to parties and have a good time. Instead, I keep to myself, because you have filled me with your anger. I am badly injured and in constant pain. Are you going to disappoint me, like a stream that goes dry in the heat of summer?

The LORD Replies

Then the LORD told me: Stop talking like a fool! If you turn back to me and speak my message, I will let you be my prophet once again. I hope the people of Judah will accept what you say. But you can ignore their threats, because I am making you strong, like a bronze wall. They are evil and violent, but when they attack, I will be there to rescue you. I, the LORD, have spoken.

Lamentations 3:55-57

From the bottom of the pit, I prayed to you, LORD. I begged you to listen. "Help!" I shouted. "Save me!" You answered my prayer and came when I was in need. You told me, "Don't worry!"

John 3:14-17

And the Son of Man must be lifted up, just as that metal snake was lifted up by Moses in the desert.  Then everyone who has faith in the Son of Man will have eternal life. God loved the people of this world so much that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who has faith in him will have eternal life and never really die. God did not send his Son into the world to condemn its people. He sent him to save them!

Ephesians 3:14-21
Christ's Love for Us

I kneel in prayer to the Father. All beings in heaven and on earth receive their life from him.  God is wonderful and glorious. I pray that his Spirit will make you become strong followers and that Christ will live in your hearts because of your faith. Stand firm and be deeply rooted in his love. I pray that you and all of God's people will understand what is called wide or long or high or deep.  I want you to know all about Christ's love, although it is too wonderful to be measured. Then your lives will be filled with all that God is.  I pray that Christ Jesus and the church will forever bring praise to God. His power at work in us can do far more than we dare ask or imagine. Amen.