Deus Misereatur

[I presented this at the Capitol Bible Study on 27 August 2014] The Right Kind of “Waiting” Game Isaiah 30.18 “Therefore the LORD waits to be gracious to you, and therefore he exalts himself to show mercy to you. For the LORD is a God of justice; blessed are all those who wait for him” (Isaiah 30.18) I read this verse recently to our men who gathered for weekly prayer and talked about it as a backdrop to our time of praying. One of our elders asked me some questions and we began, through email, to talk over this verse in greater detail. From that discussion came this little study. There is a context to this verse that I’ll bring out as we go along, but it seems to me that this particular verse is a hinge verse – like the hinges that keep your door attached to the doorjamb, and make it all work. As odd as this is going to appear at first, let’s begin in the middle of the verse and work our way up and out, and then end by comparing the first statement with the last. ...

[Listen Along: click here ] Revival and Reformation Pt 19 2 Chronicles 30 Father, warm in love, deep with saving faithfulness; your word has been summarized and read. Now by your Spirit work it into our hearts that we may become supple and pliant in your hands that Jesus our Savior would more beautifully radiate through us. Amen. Background - Chapter 21 thru 28 1.  Personal and Local Reformation: 2 Chronicles 29. 2.  Corporate Reformation. 2 Chronicles 30 A.  The Reforming Initiative (1-5) [1] Going broadly – thinking beyond just their own 4 walls (so to speak).  [2] The point at which they seek to bring in others for this reformation was the Passover: the Old Testament Feast of God’s Redemption…Christ and His Supper!!! B.  The Reforming Invitation (6-9): Speaking in a way that sounds much like the prophet, Hezekiah invites them to: 1. v.6 – Return to Yhvh …that he may turn again to the remnant of you.” Here’s one side of the pr...

Lord God, who fills our mouth with laughter, and our tongue with shouts of joy; who has done great things for us for which we are glad; who has often restored our fortunes like streams in the Negeb. May those who sow in tears reap with shouts of joy! May they who goes out weeping, bearing the seed for sowing, come home with shouts of joy, bringing their sheaves with them (Psalm 126). O Lord, hear our prayer. Lord, righteous and almighty God, remember your weather-beaten and tempest-tossed Church on this earth. Restrain her enemies, destroy their wiles, and hinder their violence! Preserve your saving truth to them and their children, and grant them to praise you with a joyful heart, even in the face of martyrdom and mayhem (Adapted from, “ Reading the Psalms with Luther ,” 127). O Lord, hear our prayer. We beseech you on behalf of this congregation; as well as Ebenezer Baptist Church; Emmanuel Baptist at S. Walker Ave and at N. Kelley Ave; Emmaus Baptist; and Evangelistic Baptist ...