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Wednesday, December 20, 2017

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Isaiah 7:10-14
Psalm 24:1-6
Luke 1:26-38

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"rejoice" the lord always

"Is it not enough for you to weary men, must you also weary my God?" —Isaiah 7:13

Before writing this, I sat at two airports for several hours as my flights were canceled and/or delayed. I was very weary. Then I read Isaiah 7:13. In a manner of speaking, I weary God when I:

  • complain and whine about my own weariness,
  • refuse to "walk by faith" (see 2 Cor 5:7),
  • sin,
  • disobey the Lord,
  • refuse to forgive,
  • refuse to repent,
  • gossip,
  • waste the time the Lord has given me, and
  • live in selfishness.

Those who sin like Ahaz and Zechariah (see Is 7:12; Lk 1:20) weary the Lord. Those who have faith like that of Mary give the Lord reason to rejoice over them with gladness and to sing joyfully because of them (Zep 3:17).

Men and women of faith, "rejoice" the Lord always. "I say it again. Rejoice!" (Phil 4:4)

Prayer:  Jesus, You are my Joy. May I always be Your joy.

Promise:  "I am the slave of the Lord. Let it be done to me according to your word." —Lk 1:38, our transl.

Praise:  "O Key of David, O royal Power of Israel controlling at Your will the gate of heaven: come, break down the prison walls of death for those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death; and lead Your captive people into freedom."

Reference:  (Hear God's voice by reading the Bible every day. Listen to or download these series on our website to help you. Overview of the Bible is six CDs starting with CD 10A-1 or three DVDs starting with DVD 10-A. 15-minute Bible Teaching - New Testament is forty CDs starting with #700. An Introduction to each book of the Bible is thirty-two CDs starting with CD 21-1 or seventeen DVDs starting with DVD 21.)

Rescript:  †Most Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Auxiliary Bishop, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, March 3, 2017

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