Behold, the Lord comes to save his people; blessed are those prepared to meet him - Daily Bible Readings December 10,2014

1ST READING   What a wonderful set of images at the conclusion of this passage from Isaiah. We can see why sometimes his prophecies are referred to as the fifth Gospel. Isaiah’s prophecies are full of images of hope and victory because he is speaking to a people who are in the midst of exactly the opposite. They need to be encouraged to persevere in their trust in God because things are pretty grim for them.   Isaiah 40:25-31 27 [25] To whom can you liken me as an equal? says the Holy One. 28 [26] Lift up your eyes on high and see who has created these things: He leads out their army and numbers them, calling them all by name. By his great might and the strength of his power not one of them is missing! 29 [27] Why, O Jacob, do you say, and declare, O Israel, “My way is hidden from the Lord, and my right is disregarded by my God”? 30 [28] Do you not know or have you not heard? The Lord is the eternal God, creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint nor grow weary, and his knowledge is beyond scrutiny. 31 [29] He gives strength to the fainting; for the weak he makes vigor abound. 32 [30] Though young men faint and grow weary, and youths stagger and fall, 33 [31] they that hope in the Lord will renew their strength, they will soar as with eagles’ wings; they will run and not grow weary, walk and not grow faint.   P S A L M   Psalm 103:1-2, 3-4, 8, 10 R: O bless the Lord, my soul! 1 Bless the Lord, O my soul; and all my being, bless his holy name. 2 Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits.(R) 3 He pardons all your iniquities, he heals all your ills. 4 He redeems your life from destruction, he crowns you with kindness  nd compassion. (R) 8 Merciful and gracious is the Lord, slow to anger and abounding in kindness. 10 Not according to our sins does he deal with us, nor does he requite us according to our crimes. (R)   GOSPEL   Jesus specifically calls us to lay our problems on His shoulders so that He can carry them for us. He does not just help us carry our trials but is willing to take over. This is the depth of His love and care for us. Let us never forget that He died on the cross so that our sins would be forgiven. This is proof of His love for us. How many people would you be willing to give your life for?   GOSPEL ACCLAMATION Behold, the Lord comes to save his people; blessed are those prepared  to meet him.   Matthew 11:28-30 28 Jesus said to the crowds: “Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for your selves. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden light.” think:  How many people would you be willing to give your life for?   T O D A Y’S BLESSING LIST Thank You Lord for: __________________   ____________________________________   God’s special verse/thought for me today_ _____________________________________   READ THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR Daniel 7-9