The Destroying Storms of Suffering--Jan. 28, 2019

Have mercy, O God, upon those who suffer,

who have been tested in the furnace of adversity.

Pray give refuge until the destroying storms pass by.

Some have endured much under many physicians,

have spent all they have, and are worse, not better.

And some are persecuted for seeking your approval,

not the approval of other people, so they suffer.

God be merciful to the victims of suffering.

Lectionary Readings

Ps. 57; 145; 85; 47

Isa. 48:1-11

Gal. 1:1-17

Mark 5:21-43

Selected Verses

Ps. 57:1

Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me,
          for in you my soul takes refuge;
in the shadow of your wings I will take refuge,
          until the destroying storms pass by. 

Isa. 48:10

See, I have refined you, but not like silver;
          I have tested you in the furnace of adversity. 

Gal. 1:10

Am I now seeking human approval, or God’s approval?  Or am I trying to please people?  If I were still pleasing people, I would not be a servant of Christ.

Mark 5:25-26

Now there was a woman who had been suffering from hemorrhages for twelve years.  She had endured much under many physicians, and had spent all that she had; and she was no better, but rather grew worse.