Distressed

The angel of the Lord appeared … and said, “Mighty hero, the Lord is with you!”

“Sir,” …“if the Lord is with us, why has all this happened to us?

Then the Lord …said, “Go with the strength you have…”

“But Lord,…how can I…?...I am the least in my entire family!”

The Lord said …, “I will be with you…”

Seek His will in all you do,
and He will show you which path to take.

Companions, as we are in this work with you, we beg you, please don't squander one bit of this marvelous life God has given us.

God reminds us,
I heard your call in the nick of time;
The day you needed me, I was there to help.

The smallness you feel comes from within you.
Your lives aren't small, but you're living them in a small way.
I'm speaking as plainly as I can and with great affection.
Open up your lives. Live openly and expansively!

And now, isn't it wonderful all the ways in which this distress has goaded you closer to God?
You're more alive, more concerned, more sensitive, more reverent, more human, more passionate, more responsible.

He stands up for those who are beaten down.
He gives food to hungry people.
The Lord sets prisoners free.
The Lord gives sight to those who are blind.
The Lord lifts up those who feel helpless.
The Lord loves those who do what is right.
The Lord watches over the outsiders who live in our land.
He takes good care of children whose fathers have died.
He also takes good care of widows.
But he causes evil people to fail
in everything they do.
The Lord rules forever.
The God of Zion will rule for all time to come.

Praise the Lord!



Judges 6:11-16 (NLT)
Proverbs 3:6 (NLT)
2 Corinthians 6:1, 13 (MSG)
2 Corinthians 7:11 (MSG)
Psalm 146:7-10 (NIRV)