I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, And in His word I do hope. My soul waits for the Lord more than those who watch for the morning—yes, more than those who watch for the morning. I give thanks to the Lord, for He is Good! His Faithful love endures forever. I give thanks to the God of gods. His faithful love endures forever. I give thanks to the Lord of lords. His faithful love endures forever. I give thanks to Him who alone does mighty miracles. His faithful love endures forever. I will give thanks to Him who made the heavens so skillfully. His faithful love endures forever. I will give thanks to Him who placed the earth among the waters. His faithful love endures forever. I give thanks to Him who made the heavenly lights— His faithful love endures forever. the sun to rule the day, His faithful love endures forever. and the moon and stars to rule the night, His faithful love endures forever. [Psalms 130:5&6; Psalm 136:1-9]
Holy Spirit, Your word tells me—The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe. [Proverbs 18:10] I have in my lifetime called on You and Your name to protect me, heal me, hold me, embrace me, carry me, and defend me. I may not have always seen the outcome of what I thought should happen, but I know without a shadow of a doubt You were with me and I was in the center of Your will and hands. I have faced people who threatened my life with knives and guns yet I am still here. I have faced cancer twice, blood clots, being septic twice, a truck running a stop sign, going into a ditch at 80 mph, and almost drowning when falling through the ice as a teen, yet by your mercy I am still living. I know You have plans for my life and that You still have a purpose for me to live here instead of going to heaven. This is what gives me the backbone of hope, the flowing current of joy, and the confidence to face each morning. I will continue to run to my strong tower whenever I am threatened or have fear, but like the three before being thrown into the fiery furnace, I know my God reigns, and whether he lets me live or die my soul is in His hands and my eternity assured.
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has given us a new birth into the living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an incorruptible and undefiled inheritance that does not fade away, kept in heaven just for me, I am protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this I greatly rejoice, even though now, if for a little while, I have to suffer various trials, so that the genuineness of my faith, which is more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tried by fire, may be found to result in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ, whom, having not seen, I still love and in whom, though I do not see Him now, I believe and I rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory, receiving as the result of my faith the salvation of my soul. The end of all things is near. Therefore, be clear-minded and self-controlled so that you can pray. Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen. [1 Peter 1:3-9; 1 Peter 4:7-11]