For Jesus Christ,
the Son of God,
does not waver between “Yes” and “No.”
…as God’s ultimate “Yes,”
he always does what he says.
For all of God’s promises have been fulfilled in Christ
with a resounding “Yes!”
…We were crushed and overwhelmed
beyond our ability to endure,
and we thought we would never live through it.
In fact, we expected to die.
But as a result,
we stopped relying on ourselves
and learned to rely only on God,
who raises the dead.
…God is our merciful Father
and the source of all comfort.
He comforts us in all our troubles
so that we can comfort others.
When they are troubled,
we will be able to give them the same comfort
God has given us.
Be on guard.
Stand firm in the faith.
Be courageous.
Be strong.
And do everything with love.
…Always work enthusiastically for the Lord,
for you know that nothing you do for the Lord
is ever useless.
Then, when our dying bodies have been transformed
into bodies that will never die,
this Scripture will be fulfilled:
“Death is swallowed up in victory.
O death, where is your victory?
O death, where is your sting?”
Blessings of knowing death will be forever gone!
O LORD, you have examined my heart
and know everything about me.
You know when I sit down or stand up.
You know my thoughts even when I’m far away.
You see me when I travel
and when I rest at home.
You know everything I do.
So the Lord must wait for you to come to him
so he can show you his love and compassion.
For the Lord is a faithful God.
Blessed are those who wait for his help.
Jesus gave his life for our sins,
just as God our Father planned,
in order to rescue us from this evil world
in which we live.
