You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others. Join with me in suffering, like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No one serving as a soldier gets entangled in civilian affairs, but rather tries to please his commanding officer. Similarly, anyone who competes as an athlete does not receive the victor’s crown except by competing according to the rules. The hardworking farmer should be the first to receive a share of the crops. Reflect on what I am saying, for the Lord will give you insight into all of this. 2 Timothy 2:1-7.

I loved this today in You Are The Beloved by Henri Nouwen: “Saintly Counselors…In the past, the saints had very much moved to the background of my consciousness. During the last few months, they re-entered my awareness as powerful guides on the way to God. I read the lives of many saints and great spiritual men and women, and it seems that they have become real members of my spiritual family, always present to offer suggestions, ideas, advice, consolation, courage, and strength. It is very hard to keep your heart and mind directed toward God when there are no examples to help you in your struggle. Without saints you easily settle for less-inspiring people and quickly follow the ways of others who for a while seem exciting but who are not able to offer lasting support. I am happy to have been able to restore my relationship with many great saintly men and women in history who, by their lives and works, can be real counselors to me. The Genesee Diary.”

When we read Scripture with the help of the Holy Spirit, we are able to join with others who have gone before us as they journeyed with Creator God – Father…Son…Spirit. This is a journey real and profound and needed. How many of us are broken by hurts so deep we can’t lift up our eyes for fear God will condemn us? You are not alone! Every one of us has been wounded. And our chapter, Isaiah 48, describes the root cause of our inability to see and understand the truth of God’s overwhelming, healing love. Listen to this, you descendants of Jacob, you who are called by the name of Israel and come from the line of Judah, you who take oaths in the name of the Lord and invoke the God of Israel – but not in truth or righteousness…For I knew how stubborn you were; your neck muscles were iron, your forehead was bronze…v. 1, 4. He knows we attribute to idols or to ourselves or to our knowledge, how and why things are, v. 5-8. Can we think about God’s heart for us? For My own name’s sake I delay My wrath; for the sake of My praise I hold it back from you, so as not to destroy you completely. See, I have refined you, though not as silver; I have tested you in the furnace of affliction. For My own sake, for My own sake, I do this. How can I let Myself be defamed? I will not yield My glory to another. Listen to Me, Jacob, Israel, whom I have called: I am He; I am the first and I am the last…I am the Lord your God, who teaches you what is best for you, who directs you in the way you should go. If only you had paid attention to My commands, your peace would have been like a river, your well-being like the waves of the sea. v. 11, 12, 17, 18.

How can God yield His glory when what we choose to believe in leaves us empty and broken? Through all the generations of mankind and today, God has never left us. The clear note of His truth can pierce the darkness in our hearts when our need grows so great, nothing but God can help. “There is no peace,” says the Lord, “for the wicked.” v. 22. Why? Because they choose wrong. When you are ready for more, for the help only God can give, ask. Don’t fear the love of God given for you to heal you. It’s a journey with Him and He will guide you to walk that journey with others who love Him. And the amazing thing is, you will find yourself in the company of saints who have been hurt and have hurt others, too. And they know the love of God is what saves them and you and me. Not so that we could want to continue in the very sins that destroy us, but so that with God we can begin to live lives that are rich and full because of His love for us. Our lives will be fully impacted by our love for God, His love for us, and our love for one another. A new world…the Kingdom of God.