LAMENTATIONS 4-5:
In yesterday's reading, the sun pierced the dark clouds with this glorious section:
22 The Lord's unfailing love and mercy still continue,
23 Fresh as the morning, as sure as the sunrise.
24 The Lord is all I have, and so in him I put my hope.
25 The Lord is good to everyone who trusts in him,
I have only quoted the most famous part. There are many other precious verses there.
Translation notes:
5:8 NDT [Slaves have now become our masters; there is no one left to rescue us.//Our rulers are no better than slaves, and no one can save us from their power.]
15 Happiness has gone out of our lives; grief has taken the place of our [dancing//dances].
PROVERBS 13a:
Here is a favorite proverb from today’s reading:
Some who are poor pretend to be rich;
others who are rich pretend to be poor. (NLT)
Rereading EPHESIANS 2:
We have an important spiritual reality expressed in verse 6: Because we are joined as one with Christ, we are already seated with Him, reigning together with Him, in heaven. We don't wait to die to find out if we will get into heaven! We’re already there! In my speaking about this in Indonesia I often say, “We’re not sitting on plastic folding chairs in heaven.” Understanding and believing this spiritual reality should transform our prayers. Imagine how your spirit is seated with Christ right now, and pray from your heavenly position.
Translation notes:
2 At that time you followed the world's evil way; you obeyed the [commander of the powers in the unseen world (NLT)//ruler of the spiritual powers in space], the spirit who now controls the people who disobey God.
6 In our union with Christ Jesus he raised us up with him [to sit beside him on his throne//to rule with him] in the heavenly world.
8-9 For it is by God's grace that you have been saved through [believing//faith]. It is not the result of your own efforts, but God's gift, so that no one can boast about it.
11 You Gentiles by birth—called “the uncircumcised” by the Jews, who call themselves the circumcised (which refers to [a physical ceremony performed upon the bodies of men//what men do to their bodies])—remember what you were in the past.
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