Isaiah 26:3
You will keep him in perfect peace,
whose mind is stayed on You,
because he trusts in You.
In 1875, Edward H. Bickersteth, Jr., was on vacation. He heard a sermon based on the verse Isaiah 26:3. That very afternoon he visited a dying relative and read the Scripture to him. He then composed the words to the following hymn and read them to his relative, perhaps the last words that the dying man heard.
May we all keep our minds "stayed" on God our Father and trust in Him each day to our last breath.
Peace, Perfect Peace
Peace, perfect peace, in this dark world of sin?
The blood of Jesus whispers peace within.
Peace, perfect peace, by thronging duties pressed?
To do the will of Jesus, this is rest.
Peace, perfect peace, with sorrow surging round?
In Jesus's presence nought but calm is found.
Peace, perfect peace, with loved ones far away?
In Jesus's keeping we are safe, and they.
Peace, perfect peace, our future all unknown?
Jesus we know, and He is on the throne.
Peace, perfect peace, death shadowing us and ours?
Jesus has vanquished death and all its powers
It is enough: earth's struggles soon shall cease,
and Jesus call us to heaven's perfect peace.
Saturday, October 15, 2011
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
Day 11: A Scripture about Family/Friends
Okay, I think I have chosen a rather strange odd passage to fulfill this prompt. I have pondered what to choose for several days -- maybe someone noticed I haven't posted in awhile! : ) This one struck me. These verses come up in a conversation between Jesus and His followers about the temple and the prophecy that it would be destroyed.
So here goes:
Luke 21:16-19
16 But you will be betrayed even by parents and brothers and relatives and friends, and they will put some of you to death, 17 and you will be hated by all because of My name. 18 Yet not a hair of your head will perish. 19 By your endurance you will gain your lives.
Wow! Hear those words of Jesus to His disciples. He was not promising them a rose garden. On the contrary, He tells them that the people who had loved them the most in their lives up to this point are going to turn against them, are going to hate them. Some of them will die at the hands of their family members or friends! (Now -- someone explain to me verse 18! On the surface, it seems to contradict what Jesus has just said. It must mean that they will gain salvation as in "to die is gain.")
But if I had been standing there, listening, I wonder what my reaction would be.
And I think today of the followers of Christ in Egypt who are suffering this week because of their beliefs.
If you find my thoughts about this scripture to be a little disjointed -- so do I!! : )
So here goes:
Luke 21:16-19
16 But you will be betrayed even by parents and brothers and relatives and friends, and they will put some of you to death, 17 and you will be hated by all because of My name. 18 Yet not a hair of your head will perish. 19 By your endurance you will gain your lives.
Wow! Hear those words of Jesus to His disciples. He was not promising them a rose garden. On the contrary, He tells them that the people who had loved them the most in their lives up to this point are going to turn against them, are going to hate them. Some of them will die at the hands of their family members or friends! (Now -- someone explain to me verse 18! On the surface, it seems to contradict what Jesus has just said. It must mean that they will gain salvation as in "to die is gain.")
But if I had been standing there, listening, I wonder what my reaction would be.
And I think today of the followers of Christ in Egypt who are suffering this week because of their beliefs.
If you find my thoughts about this scripture to be a little disjointed -- so do I!! : )
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