21 July 2010

Today's Readings -- 21 July 2010

Good day, or at least we hope for that.

This morning's reading is Psalms 34 and 35. It is helpful to know that these psalms are written out of very real experiences, they are not light fluffy stuff with no spine to them. These are born out of some very real, often very stressful and dangerous situations. Situations that the Lord has or was bringing the writer through. Not around, but through. There's a difference, I often ask the Lord to provide a way around trouble. Instead, He brings me -- brings us -- through it.

1
I will bless the LORD at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth.
2
My soul shall make her boast in the LORD: the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad.
3
O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together.
4
I sought the LORD, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.
5
They looked unto him, and were lightened: and their faces were not ashamed.
6
This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles.
7
The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them.
8
O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.
9
O fear the LORD, ye his saints: for there is no want to them that fear him.
10
The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger: but they that seek the LORD shall not want any good thing.
11
Come, ye children, hearken unto me: I will teach you the fear of the LORD.
12
What man is he that desireth life, and loveth many days, that he may see good?
13
Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile.
14
Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it.
15
The eyes of the LORD are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry.
16
The face of the LORD is against them that do evil, to cut off the remembrance of them from the earth.
17
The righteous cry, and the LORD heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles.
18
The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.
19
Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivereth him out of them all.
20
He keepeth all his bones: not one of them is broken.
21
Evil shall slay the wicked: and they that hate the righteous shall be desolate.
22
The LORD redeemeth the soul of his servants: and none of them that trust in him shall be desolate.


1
Plead my cause, O LORD, with them that strive with me: fight against them that fight against me.
2
Take hold of shield and buckler, and stand up for mine help.
3
Draw out also the spear, and stop the way against them that persecute me: say unto my soul, I am thy salvation.
4
Let them be confounded and put to shame that seek after my soul: let them be turned back and brought to confusion that devise my hurt.
5
Let them be as chaff before the wind: and let the angel of the LORD chase them.
6
Let their way be dark and slippery: and let the angel of the LORD persecute them.
7
For without cause have they hid for me their net in a pit, which without cause they have digged for my soul.
8
Let destruction come upon him at unawares; and let his net that he hath hid catch himself: into that very destruction let him fall.
9
And my soul shall be joyful in the LORD: it shall rejoice in his salvation.
10
All my bones shall say, LORD, who is like unto thee, which deliverest the poor from him that is too strong for him, yea, the poor and the needy from him that spoileth him?
11
False witnesses did rise up; they laid to my charge things that I knew not.
12
They rewarded me evil for good to the spoiling of my soul.
13
But as for me, when they were sick, my clothing was sackcloth: I humbled my soul with fasting; and my prayer returned into mine own bosom.
14
I behaved myself as though he had been my friend or brother: I bowed down heavily, as one that mourneth for his mother.
15
But in mine adversity they rejoiced, and gathered themselves together: yea, the abjects gathered themselves together against me, and I knew it not; they did tear me, and ceased not:
16
With hypocritical mockers in feasts, they gnashed upon me with their teeth.
17
Lord, how long wilt thou look on? rescue my soul from their destructions, my darling from the lions.
18
I will give thee thanks in the great congregation: I will praise thee among much people.
19
Let not them that are mine enemies wrongfully rejoice over me: neither let them wink with the eye that hate me without a cause.
20
For they speak not peace: but they devise deceitful matters against them that are quiet in the land.
21
Yea, they opened their mouth wide against me, and said, Aha, aha, our eye hath seen it.
22
This thou hast seen, O LORD: keep not silence: O Lord, be not far from me.
23
Stir up thyself, and awake to my judgment, even unto my cause, my God and my Lord.
24
Judge me, O LORD my God, according to thy righteousness; and let them not rejoice over me.
25
Let them not say in their hearts, Ah, so would we have it: let them not say, We have swallowed him up.
26
Let them be ashamed and brought to confusion together that rejoice at mine hurt: let them be clothed with shame and dishonour that magnify themselves against me.
27
Let them shout for joy, and be glad, that favour my righteous cause: yea, let them say continually, Let the LORD be magnified, which hath pleasure in the prosperity of his servant.
28
And my tongue shall speak of thy righteousness and of thy praise all the day long.





This evening, the reading is Acts 22. Another case of the Lord at work in the midst of problems, not avoiding them.
1
Men, brethren, and fathers, hear ye my defence which I make now unto you.
2
(And when they heard that he spake in the Hebrew tongue to them, they kept the more silence: and he saith,)
3
I am verily a man which am a Jew, born in Tarsus, a city in Cilicia, yet brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, and taught according to the perfect manner of the law of the fathers, and was zealous toward God, as ye all are this day.
4
And I persecuted this way unto the death, binding and delivering into prisons both men and women.
5
As also the high priest doth bear me witness, and all the estate of the elders: from whom also I received letters unto the brethren, and went to Damascus, to bring them which were there bound unto Jerusalem, for to be punished.
6
And it came to pass, that, as I made my journey, and was come nigh unto Damascus about noon, suddenly there shone from heaven a great light round about me.
7
And I fell unto the ground, and heard a voice saying unto me, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?
8
And I answered, Who art thou, Lord? And he said unto me, I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom thou persecutest.
9
And they that were with me saw indeed the light, and were afraid; but they heard not the voice of him that spake to me.
10
And I said, What shall I do, LORD? And the Lord said unto me, Arise, and go into Damascus; and there it shall be told thee of all things which are appointed for thee to do.
11
And when I could not see for the glory of that light, being led by the hand of them that were with me, I came into Damascus.
12
And one Ananias, a devout man according to the law, having a good report of all the Jews which dwelt there,
13
Came unto me, and stood, and said unto me, Brother Saul, receive thy sight. And the same hour I looked up upon him.
14
And he said, The God of our fathers hath chosen thee, that thou shouldest know his will, and see that Just One, and shouldest hear the voice of his mouth.
15
For thou shalt be his witness unto all men of what thou hast seen and heard.
16
And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.
17
And it came to pass, that, when I was come again to Jerusalem, even while I prayed in the temple, I was in a trance;
18
And saw him saying unto me, Make haste, and get thee quickly out of Jerusalem: for they will not receive thy testimony concerning me.
19
And I said, Lord, they know that I imprisoned and beat in every synagogue them that believed on thee:
20
And when the blood of thy martyr Stephen was shed, I also was standing by, and consenting unto his death, and kept the raiment of them that slew him.
21
And he said unto me, Depart: for I will send thee far hence unto the Gentiles.
22
And they gave him audience unto this word, and then lifted up their voices, and said, Away with such a fellow from the earth: for it is not fit that he should live.
23
And as they cried out, and cast off their clothes, and threw dust into the air,
24
The chief captain commanded him to be brought into the castle, and bade that he should be examined by scourging; that he might know wherefore they cried so against him.
25
And as they bound him with thongs, Paul said unto the centurion that stood by, Is it lawful for you to scourge a man that is a Roman, and uncondemned?
26
When the centurion heard that, he went and told the chief captain, saying, Take heed what thou doest: for this man is a Roman.
27
Then the chief captain came, and said unto him, Tell me, art thou a Roman? He said, Yea.
28
And the chief captain answered, With a great sum obtained I this freedom. And Paul said, But I was free born.
29
Then straightway they departed from him which should have examined him: and the chief captain also was afraid, after he knew that he was a Roman, and because he had bound him.
30
On the morrow, because he would have known the certainty wherefore he was accused of the Jews, he loosed him from his bands, and commanded the chief priests and all their council to appear, and brought Paul down, and set him before them.

20 July 2010

Today's Readings -- 20 July 2010

G'morning. Groan.
Am about to crash and burn after a long and very stressful tour on the night shift. We have now gone 2/3 of a year into a "short stint" on nights. Repeated queries about when this nonsense ends have been met with silence, and nothing more. I want a new job, preferably one that will involve a relocation. I am weary and not up to much commentary this morning.

This morning, Psalms 31, 32, 33.

1
In thee, O LORD, do I put my trust; let me never be ashamed: deliver me in thy righteousness.
2
Bow down thine ear to me; deliver me speedily: be thou my strong rock, for an house of defence to save me.
3
For thou art my rock and my fortress; therefore for thy name's sake lead me, and guide me.
4
Pull me out of the net that they have laid privily for me: for thou art my strength.
5
Into thine hand I commit my spirit: thou hast redeemed me, O LORD God of truth.
6
I have hated them that regard lying vanities: but I trust in the LORD.
7
I will be glad and rejoice in thy mercy: for thou hast considered my trouble; thou hast known my soul in adversities;
8
And hast not shut me up into the hand of the enemy: thou hast set my feet in a large room.
9
Have mercy upon me, O LORD, for I am in trouble: mine eye is consumed with grief, yea, my soul and my belly.
10
For my life is spent with grief, and my years with sighing: my strength faileth because of mine iniquity, and my bones are consumed.
11
I was a reproach among all mine enemies, but especially among my neighbours, and a fear to mine acquaintance: they that did see me without fled from me.
12
I am forgotten as a dead man out of mind: I am like a broken vessel.
13
For I have heard the slander of many: fear was on every side: while they took counsel together against me, they devised to take away my life.
14
But I trusted in thee, O LORD: I said, Thou art my God.
15
My times are in thy hand: deliver me from the hand of mine enemies, and from them that persecute me.
16
Make thy face to shine upon thy servant: save me for thy mercies' sake.
17
Let me not be ashamed, O LORD; for I have called upon thee: let the wicked be ashamed, and let them be silent in the grave.
18
Let the lying lips be put to silence; which speak grievous things proudly and contemptuously against the righteous.
19
Oh how great is thy goodness, which thou hast laid up for them that fear thee; which thou hast wrought for them that trust in thee before the sons of men!
20
Thou shalt hide them in the secret of thy presence from the pride of man: thou shalt keep them secretly in a pavilion from the strife of tongues.
21
Blessed be the LORD: for he hath shewed me his marvellous kindness in a strong city.
22
For I said in my haste, I am cut off from before thine eyes: nevertheless thou heardest the voice of my supplications when I cried unto thee.
23
O love the LORD, all ye his saints: for the LORD preserveth the faithful, and plentifully rewardeth the proud doer.
24
Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the LORD.


1
Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.
2
Blessed is the man unto whom the LORD imputeth not iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no guile.
3
When I kept silence, my bones waxed old through my roaring all the day long.
4
For day and night thy hand was heavy upon me: my moisture is turned into the drought of summer. Selah.
5
I acknowledge my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the LORD; and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin. Selah.
6
For this shall every one that is godly pray unto thee in a time when thou mayest be found: surely in the floods of great waters they shall not come nigh unto him.
7
Thou art my hiding place; thou shalt preserve me from trouble; thou shalt compass me about with songs of deliverance. Selah.
8
I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye.
9
Be ye not as the horse, or as the mule, which have no understanding: whose mouth must be held in with bit and bridle, lest they come near unto thee.
10
Many sorrows shall be to the wicked: but he that trusteth in the LORD, mercy shall compass him about.
11
Be glad in the LORD, and rejoice, ye righteous: and shout for joy, all ye that are upright in heart.


1
Rejoice in the LORD, O ye righteous: for praise is comely for the upright.
2
Praise the LORD with harp: sing unto him with the psaltery and an instrument of ten strings.
3
Sing unto him a new song; play skilfully with a loud noise.
4
For the word of the LORD is right; and all his works are done in truth.
5
He loveth righteousness and judgment: the earth is full of the goodness of the LORD.
6
By the word of the LORD were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth.
7
He gathereth the waters of the sea together as an heap: he layeth up the depth in storehouses.
8
Let all the earth fear the LORD: let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him.
9
For he spake, and it was done; he commanded, and it stood fast.
10
The LORD bringeth the counsel of the heathen to nought: he maketh the devices of the people of none effect.
11
The counsel of the LORD standeth for ever, the thoughts of his heart to all generations.
12
Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD; and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance.
13
The LORD looketh from heaven; he beholdeth all the sons of men.
14
From the place of his habitation he looketh upon all the inhabitants of the earth.
15
He fashioneth their hearts alike; he considereth all their works.
16
There is no king saved by the multitude of an host: a mighty man is not delivered by much strength.
17
An horse is a vain thing for safety: neither shall he deliver any by his great strength.
18
Behold, the eye of the LORD is upon them that fear him, upon them that hope in his mercy;
19
To deliver their soul from death, and to keep them alive in famine.
20
Our soul waiteth for the LORD: he is our help and our shield.
21
For our heart shall rejoice in him, because we have trusted in his holy name.
22
Let thy mercy, O LORD, be upon us, according as we hope in thee.




This evening, verses 15-40 of Acts 21.
15
And after those days we took up our carriages, and went up to Jerusalem.
16
There went with us also certain of the disciples of Caesarea, and brought with them one Mnason of Cyprus, an old disciple, with whom we should lodge.
17
And when we were come to Jerusalem, the brethren received us gladly.
18
And the day following Paul went in with us unto James; and all the elders were present.
19
And when he had saluted them, he declared particularly what things God had wrought among the Gentiles by his ministry.
20
And when they heard it, they glorified the Lord, and said unto him, Thou seest, brother, how many thousands of Jews there are which believe; and they are all zealous of the law:
21
And they are informed of thee, that thou teachest all the Jews which are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, saying that they ought not to circumcise their children, neither to walk after the customs.
22
What is it therefore? the multitude must needs come together: for they will hear that thou art come.
23
Do therefore this that we say to thee: We have four men which have a vow on them;
24
Them take, and purify thyself with them, and be at charges with them, that they may shave their heads: and all may know that those things, whereof they were informed concerning thee, are nothing; but that thou thyself also walkest orderly, and keepest the law.
25
As touching the Gentiles which believe, we have written and concluded that they observe no such thing, save only that they keep themselves from things offered to idols, and from blood, and from strangled, and from fornication.
26
Then Paul took the men, and the next day purifying himself with them entered into the temple, to signify the accomplishment of the days of purification, until that an offering should be offered for every one of them.
27
And when the seven days were almost ended, the Jews which were of Asia, when they saw him in the temple, stirred up all the people, and laid hands on him,
28
Crying out, Men of Israel, help: This is the man, that teacheth all men every where against the people, and the law, and this place: and further brought Greeks also into the temple, and hath polluted this holy place.
29
(For they had seen before with him in the city Trophimus an Ephesian, whom they supposed that Paul had brought into the temple.)
30
And all the city was moved, and the people ran together: and they took Paul, and drew him out of the temple: and forthwith the doors were shut.
31
And as they went about to kill him, tidings came unto the chief captain of the band, that all Jerusalem was in an uproar.
32
Who immediately took soldiers and centurions, and ran down unto them: and when they saw the chief captain and the soldiers, they left beating of Paul.
33
Then the chief captain came near, and took him, and commanded him to be bound with two chains; and demanded who he was, and what he had done.
34
And some cried one thing, some another, among the multitude: and when he could not know the certainty for the tumult, he commanded him to be carried into the castle.
35
And when he came upon the stairs, so it was, that he was borne of the soldiers for the violence of the people.
36
For the multitude of the people followed after, crying, Away with him.
37
And as Paul was to be led into the castle, he said unto the chief captain, May I speak unto thee? Who said, Canst thou speak Greek?
38
Art not thou that Egyptian, which before these days madest an uproar, and leddest out into the wilderness four thousand men that were murderers?
39
But Paul said, I am a man which am a Jew of Tarsus, a city in Cilicia, a citizen of no mean city: and, I beseech thee, suffer me to speak unto the people.
40
And when he had given him licence, Paul stood on the stairs, and beckoned with the hand unto the people. And when there was made a great silence, he spake unto them in the Hebrew tongue, saying,

19 July 2010

Today's Readings -- 19 July 2010

and so another week begins. Pardon my muted enthusiasm.

This morning, Psalms 28, 29, and 3o. Praise, perhaps borne out of personal experience.

1
Unto thee will I cry, O LORD my rock; be not silent to me: lest, if thou be silent to me, I become like them that go down into the pit.
2
Hear the voice of my supplications, when I cry unto thee, when I lift up my hands toward thy holy oracle.
3
Draw me not away with the wicked, and with the workers of iniquity, which speak peace to their neighbours, but mischief is in their hearts.
4
Give them according to their deeds, and according to the wickedness of their endeavours: give them after the work of their hands; render to them their desert.
5
Because they regard not the works of the LORD, nor the operation of his hands, he shall destroy them, and not build them up.
6
Blessed be the LORD, because he hath heard the voice of my supplications.
7
The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise him.
8
The LORD is their strength, and he is the saving strength of his anointed.
9
Save thy people, and bless thine inheritance: feed them also, and lift them up for ever.


1
Give unto the LORD, O ye mighty, give unto the LORD glory and strength.
2
Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name; worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness.
3
The voice of the LORD is upon the waters: the God of glory thundereth: the LORD is upon many waters.
4
The voice of the LORD is powerful; the voice of the LORD is full of majesty.
5
The voice of the LORD breaketh the cedars; yea, the LORD breaketh the cedars of Lebanon.
6
He maketh them also to skip like a calf; Lebanon and Sirion like a young unicorn.
7
The voice of the LORD divideth the flames of fire.
8
The voice of the LORD shaketh the wilderness; the LORD shaketh the wilderness of Kadesh.
9
The voice of the LORD maketh the hinds to calve, and discovereth the forests: and in his temple doth every one speak of his glory.
10
The LORD sitteth upon the flood; yea, the LORD sitteth King for ever.
11
The LORD will give strength unto his people; the LORD will bless his people with peace.


1
I will extol thee, O LORD; for thou hast lifted me up, and hast not made my foes to rejoice over me.
2
O LORD my God, I cried unto thee, and thou hast healed me.
3
O LORD, thou hast brought up my soul from the grave: thou hast kept me alive, that I should not go down to the pit.
4
Sing unto the LORD, O ye saints of his, and give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness.
5
For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.
6
And in my prosperity I said, I shall never be moved.
7
LORD, by thy favour thou hast made my mountain to stand strong: thou didst hide thy face, and I was troubled.
8
I cried to thee, O LORD; and unto the LORD I made supplication.
9
What profit is there in my blood, when I go down to the pit? Shall the dust praise thee? shall it declare thy truth?
10
Hear, O LORD, and have mercy upon me: LORD, be thou my helper.
11
Thou hast turned for me my mourning into dancing: thou hast put off my sackcloth, and girded me with gladness;
12
To the end that my glory may sing praise to thee, and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give thanks unto thee for ever.



This evening, verses 1-14 of Acts 21.
1
And it came to pass, that after we were gotten from them, and had launched, we came with a straight course unto Coos, and the day following unto Rhodes, and from thence unto Patara:
2
And finding a ship sailing over unto Phenicia, we went aboard, and set forth.
3
Now when we had discovered Cyprus, we left it on the left hand, and sailed into Syria, and landed at Tyre: for there the ship was to unlade her burden.
4
And finding disciples, we tarried there seven days: who said to Paul through the Spirit, that he should not go up to Jerusalem.
5
And when we had accomplished those days, we departed and went our way; and they all brought us on our way, with wives and children, till we were out of the city: and we kneeled down on the shore, and prayed.
6
And when we had taken our leave one of another, we took ship; and they returned home again.
7
And when we had finished our course from Tyre, we came to Ptolemais, and saluted the brethren, and abode with them one day.
8
And the next day we that were of Paul's company departed, and came unto Caesarea: and we entered into the house of Philip the evangelist, which was one of the seven; and abode with him.
9
And the same man had four daughters, virgins, which did prophesy.
10
And as we tarried there many days, there came down from Judaea a certain prophet, named Agabus.
11
And when he was come unto us, he took Paul's girdle, and bound his own hands and feet, and said, Thus saith the Holy Ghost, So shall the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man that owneth this girdle, and shall deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.
12
And when we heard these things, both we, and they of that place, besought him not to go up to Jerusalem.
13
Then Paul answered, What mean ye to weep and to break mine heart? for I am ready not to be bound only, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.
14
And when he would not be persuaded, we ceased, saying, The will of the Lord be done.

18 July 2010

Today's Readings -- 18 July 2010

I hope that everyone coming by is having a good Sunday morning. I've been up all night, doing another episode of a 60-hour workweek, so I worked all night and will be paid zip. Not the best way to set the tone for the day, I admit. We'll get through it, I guess.

This morning's reading is Psalms 25, 26, 27. I love Psalm 27. For a lovely piece of music based upon it, look at this.

1
Unto thee, O LORD, do I lift up my soul.
2
O my God, I trust in thee: let me not be ashamed, let not mine enemies triumph over me.
3
Yea, let none that wait on thee be ashamed: let them be ashamed which transgress without cause.
4
Shew me thy ways, O LORD; teach me thy paths.
5
Lead me in thy truth, and teach me: for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day.
6
Remember, O LORD, thy tender mercies and thy lovingkindnesses; for they have been ever of old.
7
Remember not the sins of my youth, nor my transgressions: according to thy mercy remember thou me for thy goodness' sake, O LORD.
8
Good and upright is the LORD: therefore will he teach sinners in the way.
9
The meek will he guide in judgment: and the meek will he teach his way.
10
All the paths of the LORD are mercy and truth unto such as keep his covenant and his testimonies.
11
For thy name's sake, O LORD, pardon mine iniquity; for it is great.
12
What man is he that feareth the LORD? him shall he teach in the way that he shall choose.
13
His soul shall dwell at ease; and his seed shall inherit the earth.
14
The secret of the LORD is with them that fear him; and he will shew them his covenant.
15
Mine eyes are ever toward the LORD; for he shall pluck my feet out of the net.
16
Turn thee unto me, and have mercy upon me; for I am desolate and afflicted.
17
The troubles of my heart are enlarged: O bring thou me out of my distresses.
18
Look upon mine affliction and my pain; and forgive all my sins.
19
Consider mine enemies; for they are many; and they hate me with cruel hatred.
20
O keep my soul, and deliver me: let me not be ashamed; for I put my trust in thee.
21
Let integrity and uprightness preserve me; for I wait on thee.
22
Redeem Israel, O God, out of all his troubles.


1
Judge me, O LORD; for I have walked in mine integrity: I have trusted also in the LORD; therefore I shall not slide.
2
Examine me, O LORD, and prove me; try my reins and my heart.
3
For thy lovingkindness is before mine eyes: and I have walked in thy truth.
4
I have not sat with vain persons, neither will I go in with dissemblers.
5
I have hated the congregation of evil doers; and will not sit with the wicked.
6
I will wash mine hands in innocency: so will I compass thine altar, O LORD:
7
That I may publish with the voice of thanksgiving, and tell of all thy wondrous works.
8
LORD, I have loved the habitation of thy house, and the place where thine honour dwelleth.
9
Gather not my soul with sinners, nor my life with bloody men:
10
In whose hands is mischief, and their right hand is full of bribes.
11
But as for me, I will walk in mine integrity: redeem me, and be merciful unto me.
12
My foot standeth in an even place: in the congregations will I bless the LORD.


1
The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?
2
When the wicked, even mine enemies and my foes, came upon me to eat up my flesh, they stumbled and fell.
3
Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident.
4
One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to enquire in his temple.
5
For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me up upon a rock.
6
And now shall mine head be lifted up above mine enemies round about me: therefore will I offer in his tabernacle sacrifices of joy; I will sing, yea, I will sing praises unto the LORD.
7
Hear, O LORD, when I cry with my voice: have mercy also upon me, and answer me.
8
When thou saidst, Seek ye my face; my heart said unto thee, Thy face, LORD, will I seek.
9
Hide not thy face far from me; put not thy servant away in anger: thou hast been my help; leave me not, neither forsake me, O God of my salvation.
10
When my father and my mother forsake me, then the LORD will take me up.
11
Teach me thy way, O LORD, and lead me in a plain path, because of mine enemies.
12
Deliver me not over unto the will of mine enemies: for false witnesses are risen up against me, and such as breathe out cruelty.
13
I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living.
14
Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.



This evening, verses 17-38 of Acts 20. How many of us could be as confident that we had left a legacy as Paul is here?


17
And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called the elders of the church.
18
And when they were come to him, he said unto them, Ye know, from the first day that I came into Asia, after what manner I have been with you at all seasons,
19
Serving the LORD with all humility of mind, and with many tears, and temptations, which befell me by the lying in wait of the Jews:
20
And how I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but have shewed you, and have taught you publickly, and from house to house,
21
Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.
22
And now, behold, I go bound in the spirit unto Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall befall me there:
23
Save that the Holy Ghost witnesseth in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions abide me.
24
But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.
25
And now, behold, I know that ye all, among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, shall see my face no more.
26
Wherefore I take you to record this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men.
27
For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God.
28
Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.
29
For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.
30
Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.
31
Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears.
32
And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified.
33
I have coveted no man's silver, or gold, or apparel.
34
Yea, ye yourselves know, that these hands have ministered unto my necessities, and to them that were with me.
35
I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.
36
And when he had thus spoken, he kneeled down, and prayed with them all.
37
And they all wept sore, and fell on Paul's neck, and kissed him,
38
Sorrowing most of all for the words which he spake, that they should see his face no more. And they accompanied him unto the ship.