1 Peter 5:6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time:
2 Corinthians 12:9 And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me.
Psalm 31:14-15 The psalmist wrote, “I trusted in Thee, O Lord: I said, Thou art my God. My times are in Thy hand.”
Deuteronomy 8:2 Remember how the LORD your God led you all the way in the desert these forty years, to humble you and to test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep His commands
Matthew 7:21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of My Father which is in heaven.
Psalm 51:1-2 Have mercy on me, O God, according to Your unfailing love; according to Your great compassion blot out my transgressions. Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin.
May you be quick to hear the Lord speak and swift to obey His command, that you will heed His word and not require His hand in order to know that He is the Lord. Ezekiel 29
May you find the grace to accept the actions of God and the judgments of God, for you know that He is righteous and holy in all He does, and no effort to circumvent His choices will be profitable, but instead seek His truth and mercy lest you see more of His power and justice. Ezekiel 30
May you fix your eyes upon Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of your faith, Who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God, surrounded by a great cloud of faithful witnesses who were all commended for their faith, but are waiting for us to throw off everything that hinders, and the sin that so easily entangles, so that we can run with perseverance the race marked out for us, since God has planned something better so that only together will they, and we, come into the full and final glory in body and soul that has been planned by God from before the foundations of the earth. Hebrews 11
May you consider Jesus, Who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. Hebrews 12
May you recall that, unlike others, in your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. Hebrews 12
Do not fret if the journey appears to drag on past your expectations; do not fear that you may have made a wrong decision and taken a wrong turn. I am trustworthy and able, and will not leave you or misguide you, for I am not a man that I should lie; I am the True and Faithful One, your Redeemer and Shepherd, and I have laid down My life for My flock, and continue to care for you as the good shepherd does his sheep, never absent, always alert, preparing the way, never hurrying the herd, tending the injured, carrying the weak, unwaveringly devoted to, and caring for, you.
You do not know the path, for you have never been this way before, but I know it well, for I created it. When you are tired and hungry, you do not know where to find the rich pastures, but I know each location, for I have prepared them for your needs. When you thirst, you would have to search to find safe places to drink from and cross the streams, but I made each stream bed, leveling and widening places for you, calling My clouds to bring water from far away for your sake.
Trust in Me, rely on Me, listen for Me, and obey Me, taking comfort that My rod will fiercely defend you and gently direct you, while My staff will lift and extract you when you fall or get entangled, giving you freedom again. I will bring you safely to the destination, to the journey’s end; all who pass under My rod are safe, not one will be lost – I not only know you, but I have numbered your hairs and know your heart, loving you as you are, and keeping you on the journey.
May you remember the word of encouragement that addresses you as an heir: ‘My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline, and do not lose heart when He rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines those He loves and He chastens everyone He accepts as a son.’ Hebrews 12
May you submit to the Father of your spirit and live, accepting and enduring hardship as discipline, for God is treating you as an heir, disciplining you for your good, that you may share in His holiness, painful though the process is, to produce a harvest of righteousness and peace once you have been trained. Hebrews 12
May you strengthen your feeble arms and lift your weak hands that hang down in exhaustion, and set your shaky knees firmly so that you may strive, with faith and patience, as you follow your calling in the grace of peace and holiness, making straight and level paths to follow, so that the limb which is weak will not be put out of joint, but rather be healed. Hebrews 12
May you fear the Lord and find great delight in His commands, for your children will be mighty in the land, the generation of the upright will be blessed by your faithfulness, and your house will be filled with the spiritual wealth and heavenly riches of God’s wisdom and favor as you walk in the righteousness of Christ. Psalm 112
May you be generous and lend freely, for good will come to you as you conduct your affairs with justice, and light will dawn for you even in darkness as you express the gracious, compassionate and righteous nature of Christ Jesus. Psalm 112
May your heart be steadfast, trusting in the Lord, and secure, not fearing any bad news, for having scattered abroad your gifts to the poor, you know that the name of Christ will be exalted in honor, His righteousness will endure forever, and you will look in triumph on His foes. Psalm 112
May you be blessed with friends who are used by the Spirit to sharpen your wits and understanding, even as iron sharpens iron. Proverbs 27:17
