I shall be with you ...
Tuesday, August 21, 2007
This seems so timely for me ... taken from veritas.org.sg -> readings for today
Judges 6:11-24
Psalm 85
Matthew 19:23-30
WITH OR WITHOUT?
' 'I shall be with you,' the Lord said.' Judges 6:16
Gideon asked: 'If the Lord is with us, why has all this' misfortune 'happened to us?' (Jgs 6:13) God simply answered: 'I shall be with you' (Jgs 6:16). Jesus' disciples 'were completely overwhelmed' (Mt 19:25) at His 'impossible' demands (Mt 19:26). Jesus' answer was: 'I am with you always' (Mt 28:20).
Humanity is in a rough spot. We have a fallen nature, a twisted heart (Jer 17:9), and are prone to self-deception. God doesn't throw money at our problem, enroll us in self-help classes, or simply eliminate our problems. God's answer is to send us Jesus, ' 'Emmanuel,' a name which means 'God is with us' ' (Mt 1:23).
We need relief from suffering; Jesus is with us in our suffering to strengthen us and guide us safely through our crosses. We need money; Jesus is with us as our Wealth (Phil 3:8). We are victims; Jesus is with us as a fellow Victim, our 'Vindicator' (Jb 19:25), and 'our Justice' (1 Cor 1:30). The Lord is with us as our Love (1 Jn 4:8), Peace (Eph 2:14), Strength (Phil 4:13), Counselor (Jn 14:26), Wisdom (1 Cor 1:30), Life (Jn 11:25), and our All.
Would you rather have good health, or the God of health? Would you rather have a life with no problems, or God with you amid your problems? Would you rather have the supplies you need, or the God Who can supply all things? (Phil 4:19) To prefer the loot instead of the Lord is to live a preview of hell, that is, a life without God (see Catechism, 1035). The great reward of heaven is not riches, but being with the Lord forever. Choose Him now.
Judges 6:11-24
Psalm 85
Matthew 19:23-30
WITH OR WITHOUT?
' 'I shall be with you,' the Lord said.' Judges 6:16
Gideon asked: 'If the Lord is with us, why has all this' misfortune 'happened to us?' (Jgs 6:13) God simply answered: 'I shall be with you' (Jgs 6:16). Jesus' disciples 'were completely overwhelmed' (Mt 19:25) at His 'impossible' demands (Mt 19:26). Jesus' answer was: 'I am with you always' (Mt 28:20).
Humanity is in a rough spot. We have a fallen nature, a twisted heart (Jer 17:9), and are prone to self-deception. God doesn't throw money at our problem, enroll us in self-help classes, or simply eliminate our problems. God's answer is to send us Jesus, ' 'Emmanuel,' a name which means 'God is with us' ' (Mt 1:23).
We need relief from suffering; Jesus is with us in our suffering to strengthen us and guide us safely through our crosses. We need money; Jesus is with us as our Wealth (Phil 3:8). We are victims; Jesus is with us as a fellow Victim, our 'Vindicator' (Jb 19:25), and 'our Justice' (1 Cor 1:30). The Lord is with us as our Love (1 Jn 4:8), Peace (Eph 2:14), Strength (Phil 4:13), Counselor (Jn 14:26), Wisdom (1 Cor 1:30), Life (Jn 11:25), and our All.
Would you rather have good health, or the God of health? Would you rather have a life with no problems, or God with you amid your problems? Would you rather have the supplies you need, or the God Who can supply all things? (Phil 4:19) To prefer the loot instead of the Lord is to live a preview of hell, that is, a life without God (see Catechism, 1035). The great reward of heaven is not riches, but being with the Lord forever. Choose Him now.
Labels: Journey
posted by Francesca Cecilia at 11:23 PM, | 
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