Because He lives...

I spoke with a friend recently. Her mom went home to be with the Lord rather suddenly. She sang the song "Because He Lives" at her funeral. It has resonated within me since our conversation. It is such an awesome reminder. This is how I remember the song, my words might be a little off...still blesses me deep inside.

Because He lives, I can face tomorrow...
Because He Lives, all fear is gone....
Because I know who holds the future...
And life is worth living just because He lives....

As I was starting my quiet time tonight, DS woke up, fussy. Didn't know what he wanted. I finally took him back to his bed and prayed over him. God is so faithful. God our protector.

I wasn't exactly sure what I was going to read tonight. I thought I'd start by reviewing the passage we worked on most recently. My Bible opened up to Jeremiah 15. I had marked 15:16 as a verse with impact that I'd like to go back and study more. I went to biblegateway.org to see what different translations did with it.

NIV is:
You understand, O LORD;
remember me and care for me.
Avenge me on my persecutors.
You are long-suffering—do not take me away;
think of how I suffer reproach for your sake.
When your words came, I ate them;
they were my joy and my heart's delight,
for I bear your name,
O LORD God Almighty.

The Message pulls in the whole section, 15-18:
18You know where I am, God!
Remember what I'm doing here!
Take my side against my detractors.
Don't stand back while they ruin me.
Just look at the abuse I'm taking!
When your words showed up, I ate them—
swallowed them whole.
What a feast!
What delight I took in being yours,
O God, God-of-the-Angel-Armies!
I never joined the party crowd in their laughter and their fun.
Led by you, I went off by myself.
You'd filled me with indignation.
Their sin had me seething.
But why, why this chronic pain,
this ever worsening wound and no healing in sight?
You're nothing, God, but a mirage,
a lovely oasis in the distance—and then nothing!

With an ending like that, I had to read on...

19-21This is how God answered me:
"Take back those words, and I'll take you back.
Then you'll stand tall before me.
Use words truly and well.
Don't stoop to cheap whining.
Then, but only then, you'll speak for me.
Let your words change them.
Don't change your words to suit them.
I'll turn you into a steel wall,
a thick steel wall, impregnable.
They'll attack you but won't put a dent in you
because I'm at your side, defending and delivering."
God's Decree."I'll deliver you from the grip of the wicked.
I'll get you out of the clutch of the ruthless."

God is so faithful. I've been in a rough spot. I don't believe in coincidence. God has placed so many things in my path. This message tonight, is an awesome promise.

I'm off to pray...