Pray, Trust, Wait in God’s Promises
 
Psalms 120:1 I call on the LORD in my distress, and he answers me. 2 Save me, O LORD from lying lips and from deceitful tongues.
 
THIS is a psalm of ascents. These were sung as the Jews ascend to the temple mount to worship. God wants his people to consider three things as they go to worship.
 
Pray
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First, these two verses are a prayer. This is the fundamental action of our relationship with God. When we move from our daily lives into worship of the Almighty God, prayer helps us set our mind to the Holy God. He has called us into his presence to worship him. He wants our full attention.
   As they go to worship, the Jews pray for God to save them from their enemies’ influences. This is likely an appeal to God to keep their hearts away from pagan immoral influences. Our prayers must recognize our need for spiritual purity. When we pray, we speak to the God we ….
 
Trust
 
God is very clear throughout Scripture that when we pray we must trust in God’s response: V 3 What will he do to you, and what more besides, O deceitful tongue? 4 He will punish you with a warrior’s sharp arrows,
with burning coals of the broom tree. As we conclude our prayers, we must spiritually submit to the LORD’s answer. We will not silence God’s enemies. They are too numerous. But God will work in many ways to remove those who oppose him. Seldom does he immediately act, but he awaits his time to respond in his will. This requires us to …
 
Wait
 
Psalm 120: 5 Woe to me that I dwell in Meshech, that I live among the tents of Kedar! 6 Too long have I lived among those who hate peace. 7 I am a man of peace; but when I speak, they are for war.
 
Meshach and Kedar refer to two pagan people groups at the opposite ends of Israel. The point here is that when we associate with unbelievers for too long, we begin to think as they do. And another challenge in the church is the influence of nominal Christians who minimize God. God’s enemies, as the apostles refer to in their letters, can be false teachers who lift themselves above our Lord Jesus. Or they could be people who attend church but fail to put their faith into action (James 1).
   We must be careful to not dwell among them in the sense they keep us from God. Instead, we must pray for God to turn their hearts to repentance. Be confident God will do his will and wait on his response.
 
When we go to worship with prayer on our lips, trust in our hearts and waiting in our soul, we will be prepared to spiritually ascend to God’s throne. And you don’t have to wait for worship on Sunday. You can do this when you sit at home to read and pray his Word. Your life is to be continual worship, ascending spiritually to God each day. Speak to him. Trust him. Wait on him. He is LORD. May his holy will be done in your life.    
 

 

Psalms 119:1-2 Blessed are they whose ways are blameless, who walk according to the law of the LORD. 2 Blessed are they who keep his statutes and seek him with all their heart.
 
THE psalm’s 176 verses form a beautiful song that honors the LORD God’s law. The law is God’s Word to teach us what is right. The law is God’s foundation to bless mankind with a full life.
   But our sin-captured hearts naturally rebel against the law. Our tendency is to believe God’s commands restrict our freedom. How important free will is to us! We think free will is God’s gift to us, so we can be free to do our will on earth. We ask, “Is it possible God wants any boundaries on our lives? Isn’t his sole purpose to make us happy?”
   No. God’s sole purpose is to make you holy before his throne. This purpose began in the beginning: Genesis 2:15 The LORD God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it. 16 And the LORD God commanded the man, “You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; 17 but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat of it you will surely die.”
   God’s first law was Adam’s work to care for the Garden. This would not be toilsome work, but it would be a necessary, life-sustaining work to look after God’s creation. A lawful servant enjoys the fruit of his work with God.
   God’s second law is a blessing. God commanded Adam that he was free to eat of any fruit in the Garden. The third law is one of consequence. If Adam ate from the one forbidden tree he would die. His death would first be a spiritual death in his relationship with God. The second death is physical death.
   These three commands have the three elements of God’s law throughout Scripture: service, life and death. In the Exodus service laws, God established the place and order of worship. He teaches us to serve one another with particular laws to aid widows, orphans, slaves and those falsely accused of murder.
   The Ten Commandments and other laws point us to proper behavior in our relationship to God and to one another. His laws also detail consequences to lawbreakers.
   Your obedience will bless you to a good safe life in God’s benevolence. But if your will is to live outside those laws, the consequence is God’s curse. Moses says it this way in Deuteronomy 30:19 This day I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live. God wants your free will to choose his law, so you can enjoy life to the full with him. (John 10:10)
   The law becomes even more beautiful when you understand it leads to Jesus. Jesus fulfilled the law, so God will completely establish his will on earth as it is in heaven. God’s law continues to be and must always be our guiding force in our redeemed life. When you completely understand its blessings, your life’s purpose will match God’s purpose for you – to become holy as the LORD God is holy.  

Psalms 117:1-118:2 Praise the LORD, all you nations; extol him, all you peoples. 2 For great is his love toward us, and the faithfulness of the LORD endures forever. Praise the LORD. 118:1 Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever. 2 Let Israel say: “His love endures forever.”
 
THE two-verse Psalm 117 extends into Psalm 118. Praise to God’s enduring, steadfast love is sung seven times in the two psalms. What does it mean to you that God’s love endures?
   When we think of “endure” we often consider someone going through great trouble. To endure is to resist, withstand, suffer, continue and remain. It generally means we are living through unpleasant times in order to achieve a goal – or to just survive. Does God’s love resist and suffer? Does it continue and remain, just surviving?
   The psalmist emphasizes God’s enduring love is not a minimal love that just gets through tough times. Instead, our LORD’s love is a strong, continual love that withstands mankind’s great rebellion against him. Psalm 118 teaches us of God’s continual, personal, attentive love that does not resist us but comes to save us.
   The songwriter speaks for Israel. He remembers the dark, hopeless days. V 5 In my anguish I cried to the LORD, and he answered by setting me free. God’s enduring love releases and unchains us from the many binding spiritual, physical and emotional troubles. God’s love endures to teach us v 6 the LORD is with me; I will not be afraid. God’s steadfast love empowers us to confess v 7 he is my helper. What joy to know that in God’s enduring love v 9 it is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in princes.
   The LORD’s love endured to conquer Israel’s enemies and bring peace to God’s disobedient nation. V 12 They swarmed around me like bees, but they died out as quickly as burning thorns; in the name of the LORD I cut them off.
   The LORD’s strong love fortifies our hearts. V 14 The LORD is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation. V 16 The LORD’s right hand is lifted high; the LORD’s right hand has done mighty things!”
   The LORD’s strong, forever love promises his future salvation. You know God will v 19 Open for me the gates of righteousness; I will enter and give thanks to the LORD. What joy to know God’s enduring love leads to his ultimate victory in Jesus: V 22 The stone the builders rejected has become the capstone; 23 the LORD has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes. He then points to the future day Jesus arrives in Jerusalem. V 24 This is the day the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. And the psalm petitions God’s enduring love will help Israel through their needs. V 25 O LORD, save us; O LORD, grant us success.
   Once more the psalm looks ahead and rejoices in the ultimate victory of God’s love to redeem his people. V 26 Blessed is he who comes in the name of the LORD. From the house of the LORD we bless you.
   God’s love in our hearts endures because it is a victorious love that rejects sorrow and expands joy. He sings a song of triumph:  V 27 The LORD is God, and he has made his light shine upon us. With boughs in hand, join in the festal procession up to the horns of the altar. 28 You are my God, and I will give you thanks; you are my God, and I will exalt you. 29 Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever.
   Indeed, give thanks to the LORD. His good, continual love has sent Jesus to endure the cross. Be steadfast in your response. Continue in your Christian life with enduring joy. After all, you know God’s love never fails. (1 Corinthians 13:8a)

 

Psalms 116:1 I love the LORD, for he heard my voice; he heard my cry for mercy. 2 Because he turned his ear to me, I will call on him as long as I live.
 
TAKE a moment to read the psalm’s 19 verses. What do you hear? Is it the sound, perhaps, of God hearing your faith?  
   Listen to God’s voice and know he is listening to you. He heard my cry for mercy. He turned his ear to me. He hears you and frees you from v 3 the cords of death and overwhelming trouble and sorrow. The LORD then directs you to v 4 call on the name of the LORD: “O LORD, save me!” In his holiness, the Father hears your plea and turns your heart from despair. V 5 The LORD is gracious and righteous; our God is full of compassion.
   Even more, you are safe in your salvation. V 6 The LORD protects the simplehearted; when I was in great need, he saved me. Fear of the world is gone. In God’s gospel you can speak your needs and confession to v 7 be at rest once more. When the Spirit responds, your innermost thoughts will confess your confident faith. “O my soul, for the LORD has been good to you.” This is God’s eternal goodness to save you. V 8 For you, O LORD, have delivered my soul from death, my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling, 9 that I may walk before the LORD in the land of the living.
   God has saved you into heaven’s beauty and peace. No longer will you say, V 10 “I am greatly afflicted.” because your spirit will be joined with the Spirit.
   What is your response? Will you speak worship and faith to the One who hears you? V 13 I will lift up the cup of salvation and call on the name of the LORD. Will you live as you have spoken? V 14 I will fulfill my vows to the LORD in the presence of all his people. God will protect the righteous when physical life ends. V 15 Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints. Our life belongs to God, and so does our death to this life. The Father has sent Jesus to die for you, so you can be certain he will watch over your death.
   The psalm closes with a servant’s worshipful response to God’s mercy. V 16 O LORD, truly I am your servant; I am your servant, the son of your maidservant; you have freed me from my chains. 17 I will sacrifice a thank offering to you and call on the name of the LORD. 18 I will fulfill my vows to the LORD in the presence of all his people, 19 in the courts of the house of the LORD – in your midst, O Jerusalem. Praise the LORD.
   This is the gospel. God hears your heart’s needs. He receives your confession and hears your vows. You can securely rest in his saving power. You will be forever with him because he watches over your life unto death. He hears your faithful worship and delights as you serve him with humble gratitude. God is listening to your faith. Praise the LORD – Hallelujah!

Psalms 115:1 Not to us, O LORD, not to us, but to your name be the glory, because of your love and faithfulness. 2 Why do the nations say, “Where is their God?” 3 Our God is in heaven; he does whatever pleases him. 4 But their idols are silver and gold, made by the hands of men. …9 O house of Israel, trust in the LORD – he is their help and shield…12 The LORD remembers us and will bless us: He will bless the house of Israel, he will bless the house of Aaron, 13 he will bless those who fear the LORD – small and great alike.
 
GOD’S glory belongs to God, “not to us.” the psalmist sings. How easy it is to praise, honor and worship people and objects, even ourselves. This violates God’s first and second commandments. But that happened often in Israel as illustrated in Judges 17:4 So Micah (not the prophet) returned the silver to his mother, and she took two hundred shekels of silver and gave them to a silversmith, who made them into the image and the idol. And they were put in Micah’s house. 5 Now this man Micah had a shrine, and he made an ephod and some idols and installed one of his sons as his priest. Then Judges’ author condemns this: Judges 17:6 In those days Israel had no king; everyone did as he saw fit.
   How easily we will do as we want. We will cast aside a true trust in God and put our trust in all types of objects and people. Because God does not submit to our commands, he will seem invisible to the unbelievers and even to Christians who have a casual relationship with him. They will proudly point to the church and ask, “Where is their God?” because they put their trust in an object made by the hands of men. The pagan world overflows with idols of all shapes and sizes, many formed to resemble a man or woman. Some resemble animals and others the heavens. But what power do they have? Can they walk, eat, breathe, think or talk? How fruitless is the worship of lifeless idols. It is difficult to conceive that a man creates a god, and then he worships what he has created.   
   With the psalmist’s words, God tells Israel, “Trust in the LORD.” And once again he implores them to know, “He is their help and shield.” God’s will is for Israel to worship him. He wants to remember – be mindful of his faithful people – in order to bless those who fear the LORD – small and great alike.”
   Then the psalmist gives a blessing: Psalm 114:14 May the LORD make you increase, both you and your children. 15 May you be blessed by the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth. 16 The highest heavens belong to the LORD, but the earth he has given to man. Know the LORD God oversees your life.
   He then concludes with a final encouragement to faithful worship: V 17 It is not the dead who praise the LORD, those who go down to silence; 18 it is we who extol the LORD, both now and forevermore. Praise the LORD.
           With the psalmist’s gifts, God sings his love to you. He warns you against a life without his presence. He promises he will bless all who are faithful.  

​Psalms 114:1-8 When Israel came out of Egypt, the house of Jacob from a people of foreign tongue, 2 Judah became God's sanctuary, Israel his dominion. 3 The sea looked and fled, the Jordan turned back; 4 the mountains skipped like rams, the hills like lambs. 5 Why was it, O sea, that you fled, O Jordan, that you turned back, 6 you mountains, that you skipped like rams, you hills, like lambs? 7 Tremble, O earth, at the presence of the LORD, at the presence of the God of Jacob, 8 who turned the rock into a pool, the hard rock into springs of water.
 
THIS short psalm is a window to God’s eternal majesty and power. With a poetry of motion, the song teaches the LORD is the one of sovereign authority over his created earth.
   The LORD used his authority to release Egypt’s bondage over his people. Before Jesus’ resurrection and ascension, the Exodus freedom story was the anchor that brought hope to the Jews for their future freedom under a Messiah. “Israel came out of Egypt.” is Israel’s confession God led their ancestors on a most impossible journey through physical challenges into his holy presence. In a like manner, we now say, “God sent his Son to redeem our sin.” Judah – Israel – became God’s sanctuary. He taught them to build a tabernacle and dwelled with them on the ark of the covenant’s mercy seat. He came in fire and a cloud to speak to them. Indeed, Israel became his dominion, an earthly home for the eternal LORD.
   Creation responded to the LORD’s dominion. The sea looked and fled, the Jordan turned back. With his majestic power, God divided the Red Sea (Exodus 14) and stopped the Jordan River (Joshua 3:15-16) for the Jews’ safe passage. From the desert rocks (Exodus 17 & Numbers 20:8-11), he poured water to his people and their livestock.
   The mountains skipped like rams, the hills like lambs poetically describes the land yielding to the Jews’ presence. Nature’s song to God echoed centuries later when Jesus reminded the Pharisees, “I tell you,” he replied, “if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out.” (Luke 19:40) The world belongs to God. All its wonders – even the rocks in the desert – display the Creator’s dynamic reign over heaven and earth.
   Why does nature respond to God? This is one way God raises our appropriate fear toward him. When we recognize God’s power to move the elements to his purpose, we realize we are at his mercy. V 7 Tremble, O earth, at the presence of the LORD, at the presence of the God of Jacob, 8 who turned the rock into a pool, the hard rock into springs of water.
   When the psalm was written, God’s gift to the Jews is clearly himself. Each aspect of his creative authority became a personal demonstration of his love and grace toward Israel. He promised he would give himself completely to them. He showed his full devotion with the power demonstrations of his presence on earth.
   In this New Testament time now, the LORD God has expanded and deepened his relationship with the world. Now the Christian world anchors to the cross. Because of his great work, God’s authority over humanity extends to all the earth. As the Spirit unveils God’s grace to save through Jesus Christ, the seas of disappointment and despair turn back. The rock of Jesus’ salvation pours out living water into very thirsty souls. The mountains of opposition become messengers of God’s redemption. Sinners tremble in fear and repent into his holy presence.  
           The LORD’s work is unrelenting. His majestic power is a refining tool of authority to return all the earth to his creation’s perfection. Rejoice the LORD promises to reign over heaven and earth – and over your life forever.  

Psalm 113:1 Praise the LORD. Praise, O servants of the LORD, praise the name of the LORD. 2 Let the name of the LORD be praised, both now and forevermore. 3 From the rising of the sun to the place where it sets, the name of the LORD is to be praised. 4 The Lord is exalted over all the nations, his glory above the heavens. 5 Who is like the LORD our God, the One who sits enthroned on high, 6 who stoops down to look on the heavens and the earth? 7 He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap; 8 he seats them with princes, with the princes of their people. 9 He settles the barren woman in her home as a happy mother of children. Praise the LORD.
 
GOD’s saving mercy is the reason for this praise psalm. The Jews had returned from the Babylon exile. Ezra 7 and Nehemiah ­9 record a wonderful revival as the Jews’ honor God’s law and his merciful provision to save them from exile. The law was read and choirs sang of God’s great power to rebuke, teach, lead and save his people. Praise the LORD.
   In Hebrew, “Praise the LORD.” in verses 1 and 9 are written “hallelu jah!” The word “hallēlu” means a joyous praise in song. “Jah”, is a shortened form of Yahweh – the self-existent, eternal, Creator.
“Hallelujah!” glorifies God and confesses your absolute joy.
   Who shouts, “Hallelujah”? You do: V 1b Servants of the LORD, praise the name of the LORD. When do you praise him? V 2b both now and forevermore. You praise him each day: V 3  From the rising of the sun to the place where it sets, the name of the LORD is to be praised.
   Who is the LORD you praise? He is exalted: V 4a The LORD is exalted over all the nations. God is above all earthly rulers. His power and beauty are greater than all things. Your praise will honor him to make his gracious name known to the world: v 4b his glory above the heavens. The LORD is alone in his majesty: v 5 Who is like the LORD our God, the One who sits enthroned on high. The LORD monitors his creation. He is even willing to stoop to forgive an adulterous woman (John 8) and to wash his disciples’ filthy feet. (John 13): v 6 who stoops down to look on the heavens and the earth.
   The LORD is a merciful helper, kind to draw us to himself. He draws the poorest and weakest of the world into his sanctuary of eternal promise: V 7 He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap. Hallelujah! God brings his own unto himself: V 8 he seats them with princes, with the princes of their people. Our LORD is a husband to his people: V 9a He settles the barren woman in her home as a happy mother of children. God has filled the empty wombs of Sarah (Isaac), Rachel (Joseph), Hannah (Samuel), Elizabeth (John the Baptizer) and others to advance his salvation message to you.
   What is your response to God’s merciful salvation? It seems the most difficult question for Christians to answer is, “What are your praises to God today?” Silence is often the response. Is it so difficult to consider God’s mercy to deliver you from sin’s exile? Do you think such a praise is self-righteous? But consider this. When you exclaim, “Praise the LORD, he has saved me!” you tell others not of yourself but of God.
   What will you say the next time someone asks, “What are your praises to God today?” How about “Hallelujah! God has saved me.”

Isaiah 62:8-12 The Lord has sworn by his right hand and by his mighty arm: “Never again will I give your grain as food for your enemies, and never again will foreigners drink the new wine for which you have toiled; 9 but those who harvest it will eat it and praise the Lord, and those who gather the grapes will drink it in the courts of my sanctuary. 10 Pass through, pass through the gates! Prepare the way for the people. Build it up, build up the highway! Remove the stones. Raise a banner for the nations. 11 The Lord has made proclamation to the ends of the earth: “Say to the Daughter of Zion, ‘See, your Savior comes! See, his reward is with him, and his payment accompanies him.’” 12 They will be called the Holy People, the Redeemed of the Lord; and you will be called Sought After, the City No Longer Deserted.
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Luke 2:10-14 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” 13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, 14 “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.”
 
ISAIAH prophesied a new day to come to Jerusalem, that is, to God’s kingdom. God declares his people are his own. No evil, no Satan, no enemy will invade his Paradise. All his redeemed will enter into his kingdom. The King will come to meet his people, and there will be eternal peace on earth for his church – the true believers in Jesus Christ. 
   That’s why each day we celebrate, “Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.” God’s redeemed city requires a Redeemer. On that first Christmas day, a new day began in the world. It was God’s next step in the fulfillment of his plan to restore the world into his holy perfection. On another day at the beginning of the Passover week, Jesus entered Jerusalem to the praise of his faithful followers. On another day he was crucified, died and buried as the Passover Lamb who would take away the sins of the world. On another day Jesus was raised to life, and he ascended to heaven. Then the new day dawned in heaven and earth to advance the kingdom of God. Now Jesus prepares for the final glorious Day of the Lord.
   On that day all will be made new. 2 Peter 3:10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare. 11 Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives 12 as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat. 13 But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness.
   The prophets foretold of Jesus’ saving work. Jesus completed his saving work. The apostles affirm Jesus’ saving work is for all who believe. This is why each day we celebrate Jesus come to earth. Are you in Christ this Christmas Day? This day was meant for you and all who believe. Amen.
 
Prayer: Thank you, Lord God, for your Holy Word to reveal who you are to us. I pray we know, believe and live into your eternal gift. Amen.

Isaiah 62:5 As a young man marries a maiden, so will your sons marry you; as a bridegroom rejoices over his bride, so will your God rejoice over you.
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Ephesians 5:27 and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. 
 
IN creation’s perfection, God established a perfect, intimate relationship between a man and woman. Genesis 2:22 Then the Lord God made a woman from the rib he had taken out of the man, and he brought her to the man. 23 The man said, “This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called ‘woman,’ for she was taken out of man.” 24 For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh. 25 The man and his wife were both naked, and they felt no shame.
   This holy, intimate, loving marriage is given to mankind to be the image of God’s relationship within the Trinity and with each of us. This is his creation; this is his will for the new creation. As a Christian, the triune God sees us as his bride – perfectly, beautifully adorned for a glorious relationship with Him. We are purely connected to him, not by bone, but by Jesus’ body broken and blood poured out for us. in God’s power the Holy Spirit has baptized us to adorn us with his holy radiance. This glorious gift is our means to reflect God’s light into God’s world.
   This is our role as we are a new creation in Jesus Christ. Because the old has died, the Lord God dresses us in heavenly array as God’s bride in his salvation. Our role, then, is to be a faithful bride who loves her husband.
   The New Testament records the many ways of love for one another. The Spirit teaches us of love’s many benefits and purposes. He teaches us that our love for one another shows God our love for  him. We learn of letting go of ourselves, so we can humbly obey the Lord’s Word. Dutiful submission to the Lord becomes a joyful work because it displays our Lord to the world. Each God-appointed thing we do displays our faith level to fulfill vows that commit our lives to him.
   With word and deed, submit to the Lord’s personal love for you. Live abundantly with him forever.
 
Prayer: Lord God, I thank you for the beautiful, intimate image of marriage you give to our relationship with you. I pray for Christian marriages to honor and bless you. I pray for each of us as your church to be a faithful Bride of Christ. Amen.

Isaiah 62:3 You will be a crown of splendor in the Lord’s hand, a royal diadem in the hand of your God.
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Luke 21:27-28 “At that time they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. 28 When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your
redemption is drawing near.”
 
“STAND and lift up your heads,” says he Lord Jesus Christ. He is Messiah to come in power on David’s royal throne. The world will know your King, his city and his church. Saved in Jesus’ blood, you will wear your relationship with Jesus Christ as a royal diadem. His holiness over you will declare to the world, “I belong to the LORD God.” No one will oppose or accuse your new look as righteous before God.
   Praise God sin’s shame is gone. When the Son of Man returns, you will lift up your head to his glory. With unblemished faith, your face, thoughts and righteousness will remain lifted up eternally. You have ascended to God’s holy throne. You will be seen as God’s own forever. Revelation 22:4 They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. 5 There will be no more night. They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them light. And they will reign for ever and ever.
   Be assured of your crown. Saved in Christ Jesus, he has marked you as his own. His crown of thorns forms a crown of glory on your soul. You reign with him because he has acted to raise you up and anoint you as his own. This is God’s amazing grace. He lifts you up from death’s empty, void darkness into life’s glorious light. Praise the Lord.
 
Prayer: I am yours, Jesus, saved in your gracious blood, cleansed with your power to forgive and resurrect. Thank you for the crown of life. Amen.