Genesis 24:14    Abraham called the name of the place, The–LORD–Will–Provide; as it is said to this day, “In the Mount of The LORD it shall be provided.”

Are you in need of strength today? Maybe your heart is broken over what seems to be an impossible promise from the LORD. What if the LORD has asked you to do something which appears to negate this promise? Where would you find the strength to obey? What do you do when it feels like your heart has been broken beyond repair?

Abraham must have found himself in this place when the Lord asked him to sacrifice Isaac in Genesis 22:1-14. 

The following really encouraged me! Look what Abraham does before he goes to sacrifice Isaac.

Genesis 22:4-5    On the third day Abraham lifted up his eyes and saw the place{ Mt. Moriah} from a distance. Abraham said to his young men, “Stay here with the donkey, and I and the lad will go over there; and we will worship and return to you.”

Today if you need strength, lift up your eyes to the King
Come up into the mount of the Lord thru worship
Come before His presence with singing!
Follow the Lamb to springs of living water
Drink in His mercy and grace
He will wipe away every tear …

for “In the Mount of The LORD it shall be provided{seen}. -Gen 24:14″

***

Revelation 7:17    For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; He will lead them to springs of living water. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.

Psalm 121:1-2 AMP    I WILL lift up my eyes to the hills [around Jerusalem, to sacred Mount Zion and Mount Moriah]–From whence shall my help come? My help comes from the Lord, Who made heaven and earth.

Psalm 123:1-2 AMP   To You I lift up my eyes, O You who are enthroned in the heavens! Behold, as the eyes of servants look to the hand of their masters; As the eyes of a maid to the hand of her mistress; So our eyes look to the LORD our God, until He has mercy on us.

Hebrews 4:16 AMP    Let us then fearlessly and confidently and boldly draw near to the throne of grace (the throne of God’s unmerited favor to us sinners), that we may receive mercy [for our failures] and find grace to help in good time for every need [appropriate help and well-timed help, coming just when we need it].

Psalm 100:2-3 AMP    Serve the Lord with gladness! Come before His presence with singing! Know (perceive, recognize, and understand with approval) that the Lord is God!

Lord of the Mountain

By Michael Hart
Copyright © 2000 Soulkeeper Music
All Rights Reserved

LORD OF THE MOUNTAIN
LORD OF THE SEA
LORD OF THE STARRY NIGHT
GLORIOUS MYSTERY

LORD OF THE AGES
SON WHO WAS RAISED
HEAVEN DECLARES YOUR JOY
FOREVER YOU’LL BE PRAISED

I will go up, to the mountain of the Lord
Drink of the spring, from the Saviour of my soul
Come let us bow, to our Maker and our God
Cling to the cleft, of our refuge and our rock

Chorus:

I will go up, to the mountain of the Lord
Find wings again, on the eagle of His word
Come let us fly, to the glory of the Son
Stand on the rock, resting on the work He’s done

__________________________________________________________________________________________
Related:
Lift Up Your Eyes

Has you heart been broken or hurt by what feels like rejection by others? The LORD really encouraged me this morning with the above picture and a song.

First — LOVE ‘EM ANYWAY! How could I miss this in big letters?

But HOW?

I can do all things through CHRIST who STRENGTHENS me! -Phil 4:13

See that word in the top right corner?

SING!

Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength! -Neh 8:10

For the Lord your God is living among you. He is a mighty savior. He will take delight in you with gladness. With His love, He will calm all your fears. He will rejoice over you with joyful songs’ -Zeph 3:17

Knowing that He sings over us — how can we not sing back?

Also when we know that we are loved by the King — no matter what — whether we are accepted or rejected by others — how can we keep from singing to the King?

So if today your heart feels as if it’s broken beyond repair,
Come to the King, remember His great love for you
Remember He longs to sing over you
Sing!

Worship the LORD with gladness; come before Him with joyful songs. -Ps 100:2

Let Him strengthen you and heal your broken heart.
To Jesus Christ our Savior NOTHING is beyond repair!

The LORD is near to the brokenhearted
… And saves those who are crushed in spirit. -Ps 34:18

He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. -Ps 147:3

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows.

—2 Cor. 1:3–5

Wow!

• The God of all comfort, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ

• Jesus the Son of God, His name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father [of Eternity], Prince of Peace.
• The Holy Spirit the Comforter (Counselor, Helper, Intercessor, Advocate, Strengthener, and Standby), the Spirit of Truth

ALL Comfort, LIVING hope that NEVER leaves
His name is JESUS!

Yesterday — I was discouraged. The Lord reminded me of HIs great faithfulness AND truth. Psalm 91:4 especially ministered to me.

He will cover you with His pinions, and under His wings shall you trust and find refuge; His truth and His faithfulness are a shield and a buckler{a protective wall}. -Ps 91:4

The Lord drew me ‘under His wings’ and reminded me that my trust and hope is not in anything that I can do — it’s in His faithfulness AND truth. When I’m discouraged or dry — I seek the Lord thru worship — usually in song.

So yesterday after I was singing/playing Great is Your Faithfulness my eye caught another song on youtube ‘You Are My All in ALL’. The Lord has used this song to encourage me more than once — the words spoken along with this song said to me NEVER give up! AND if you are discouraged today — come and seek Him as a precious jewel thru worship. Be drawn under His wings — sing — trust in His faithfulness and truth –

Because You are my help, I sing in the shadow of Your wings. -Ps 63:7

Let Him strengthen you and lift your head. Come magnify the Lord with me, praise His Holy name. Praise the name of Jesus the Lamb of God, my ALL in ALL.

“I will praise the Lord no matter what happens. I will constantly speak of His glories and grace. I will boast of all His kindness to me. Let all who are discouraged take heart. Let us praise the Lord together and exalt His name.” Psalm 34:1-3, TLB

Denni Jernigan

This song was born out of my own life many years ago now
What I’ve discovered in the living out of my life
And the living out of my relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ is this:
I cannot pin my hope in anything or anyone other than the Savior
And to not seek Him
Would be the most foolish thing I could do with my life
Whether I live or whether I die
I am the Lord’s, that is the reality, that is the truth
I want us to sing this song together You Are My All in All
And let’s seek the One who is our only hope
Let’s seek the One who is our only Savior
Let’s seek the One who is our Eternal King
Let’s seek the One who wants to be intimately acquainted with
… every detail of our lives
He walks with me thru sorrow
He walks with me thru hardship
He walks with me thru the fire
He walks with me thru the storm
He IS my solid Rock
Why would I not seek Him?
Let’s worship Him together, He is here whether we feel Him or not
He is our strength when we are weak
He certainly He truly is our All in All

Lamentations 3:21-23 NIV Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: Because of the LORD’s great love{mercy} we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness!

It’s only because of the LORD’s steadfast, unfailing love and
His mercies which NEVER come to an end
That we are not consumed!
GREAT is His faithfulness!

Praise be to the Lord, to God our Saviour,
who daily bears our burdens. Selah -Ps 68:19

Trust in His great faithfulness and truth!

Jesus is our strength for today
AND our bright hope for tomorrow!

Your mercies are new every morning
Your grace is sufficient each day
Your love and compassion surround me
Your hope is my peace and my strength.

Great is Your faithfulness
Great is Your faithfulness
Lord You are faithful to me.

All that I need
You’ve given me.

________________________________________________
Related:
Strength For Today And Bright Hope For Tomorrow

2 Corinthians 1:3-5   Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows.

Look at the first two titles of God in this verse. It’s interesting that they are the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ and the Father of compassion – our Lord Jesus Christ IS compassion! 

Wow! You can see God’s love, mercy and compassion here — manifested in giving Jesus His only Son for us!

John 3:16    For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.

Psalm 103:13    Just as a father has compassion on his children, So the LORD has compassion on those who fear Him.

Psalm 135:14    For the LORD will vindicate{judge,plead/contend for} His people And will have compassion on His servants.

Lamentations 3:21-23    Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: Because of the LORD’s great love{mercy} we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness!

• Published in NavPress September | October 2001 issue

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows.

—2 Cor. 1:3–5

The God of All Comfort

1. In the verses above, what “titles” are given to God? Underline them.

Father of our Lord Jesus Christ
Father of compassion
God of all comfort

It’s interesting that the first two are for Father of our Lord Jesus Christ and Father of compassion  – our Lord Jesus Christ IS compassion! God of all comfort – our Lord Jesus Christ IS ALL comfort!

God’s love is Jesus’s love, compassion, healing and need to protect us as He did when He died on the cross for us and our sins.

Wow!

• The God of all comfort, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ
• Jesus the Son of God, His name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father [of Eternity], Prince of Peace.
• The Holy Spirit the Comforter (Counselor, Helper, Intercessor, Advocate, Strengthener, and Standby), the Spirit of Truth

ALL Comfort, LIVING hope that NEVER leaves His name is JESUS!

“I WILL NEVER DESERT YOU, NOR WILL I EVER FORSAKE YOU”
-Heb 13:5

2. Are you quick to think of God as a God of comfort and compassion? When Jesus came, He said that if we had seen Him, we had seen the Father. In the following verses, what rises up in Jesus as He displays the Father’s heart?

Mt. 14:14

Mt. 20:29–34

Mt. 23:37

3. Do you experience this “rising up” of God’s compassion in you when you encounter someone in need?

yes
sometimes, but not often
no

4. If you answered “yes” or “sometimes,” describe a specific experience.

When Jesus was on earth, people who encountered Him encountered God Himself. Today, because we’re indwelt by the Holy Spirit, we live in the presence of God. God’s compassion can well up in us: We can feel His heart for the people around us, and we can bring His heart and presence into the lives of hurting people. Rather than being surprised when we encounter brokenness, we should expect it—in others’ lives and in our own.

What’s your trouble?

5. Read 2 Cor. 1:3–5 again. What seems to be a prerequisite for helping others?

Paul assumes that we will have troubles and that, rather than being left alone in them, we will receive comfort. We will give comfort after we have received it.

6. When you experience trouble, which of the following would you be most likely to do?

Collapse and throw a pity party
Shrug it off and tell yourself it’s no big deal
Turn to a friend who will make you feel better
Throw a scripture verse at it
Work harder

7. Often, we are kinder to other people who struggle than we are to ourselves. Jesus looked on people with compassion—are you able to join Him in having a compassionate look at your life? Right now, where do you need comfort?

8. Ask Jesus to reveal to you what rises up in Him when He sees you. (If the answer is condemnation or disgust, ask again.)

How do you receive comfort?

9. What are your favorite ways of comforting yourself?

10. Read Jer. 2:13. In what ways might some of our comforts be like these cisterns?

While our ways of comforting ourselves usually offer us some relief, rarely are they more than a stopgap until our cistern runs dry. That’s the problem with trying to comfort ourselves. We need someone else—we need comfort in the context of relationship.

11. God’s comfort is relational. In fact, the word translated “comfort” in 2 Corinthians 1 isparakaleo, which means “to call to one’s side.” Read Psalm 23. List the ways God comes near and gives comfort to His sheep.

12. Now look at Ezk. 34:15–16. What other ways does God shepherd His sheep?

13. What kinds of comfort have you received from God? List all you can remember.

14. Jesus promised that He was our shepherd, devoted to our care. In Jn. 14:25–27, what else did He promise us?

How can you give away comfort?

15. According to 2 Cor. 1:4, what will happen with the comfort that we receive? Why is there hope embedded in this?

16. Can you remember a time when you were facing trouble and received comfort through a person who had been in a similar situation? Describe it.

17. With so many needs facing us daily, it’s easy to become overwhelmed by the number of people in our lives who need help. Read 2 Cor. 1:4 again. This verse encourages us to give away what we have received. Take a few minutes to consider the kinds of troubles you’ve faced and the comfort you’ve received. What patterns emerge?

Troubles:

Comfort:

18. What kind of comfort does that “qualify” you to give?

19. Can you think of a specific person who needs that comfort right now? What could you do this week to come alongside that person?

Person:

Practical Step:

The wonderful promise in 2 Corinthians 1 is that whether we need comfort or are faced with the needs of others, we don’t have to rely on our own strength. Instead we can freely receive from God and then give to others out of the overflow.

“I, even I, am he who comforts you.”

—Is. 51:12

• Published in NavPress September | October 2001 issue

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows.

—2 Cor. 1:3–5

 The God of All Comfort

1. In the verses above, what “titles” are given to God? Underline them.

2. Are you quick to think of God as a God of comfort and compassion? When Jesus came, He said that if we had seen Him, we had seen the Father. In the following verses, what rises up in Jesus as He displays the Father’s heart?

Mt. 14:14

Mt. 20:29–34

Mt. 23:37

3. Do you experience this “rising up” of God’s compassion in you when you encounter someone in need?

yes
sometimes, but not often
no

4. If you answered “yes” or “sometimes,” describe a specific experience.

When Jesus was on earth, people who encountered Him encountered God Himself. Today, because we’re indwelt by the Holy Spirit, we live in the presence of God. God’s compassion can well up in us: We can feel His heart for the people around us, and we can bring His heart and presence into the lives of hurting people. Rather than being surprised when we encounter brokenness, we should expect it—in others’ lives and in our own.

What’s your trouble?

5. Read 2 Cor. 1:3–5 again. What seems to be a prerequisite for helping others?

Paul assumes that we will have troubles and that, rather than being left alone in them, we will receive comfort. We will give comfort after we have received it.

6. When you experience trouble, which of the following would you be most likely to do?

Collapse and throw a pity party
Shrug it off and tell yourself it’s no big deal
Turn to a friend who will make you feel better
Throw a scripture verse at it
Work harder

7. Often, we are kinder to other people who struggle than we are to ourselves. Jesus looked on people with compassion—are you able to join Him in having a compassionate look at your life? Right now, where do you need comfort?

8. Ask Jesus to reveal to you what rises up in Him when He sees you. (If the answer is condemnation or disgust, ask again.)

How do you receive comfort?

9. What are your favorite ways of comforting yourself?

10. Read Jer. 2:13. In what ways might some of our comforts be like these cisterns?

While our ways of comforting ourselves usually offer us some relief, rarely are they more than a stopgap until our cistern runs dry. That’s the problem with trying to comfort ourselves. We need someone else—we need comfort in the context of relationship.

11. God’s comfort is relational. In fact, the word translated “comfort” in 2 Corinthians 1 is parakaleo, which means “to call to one’s side.” Read Psalm 23. List the ways God comes near and gives comfort to His sheep.

12. Now look at Ezk. 34:15–16. What other ways does God shepherd His sheep?

13. What kinds of comfort have you received from God? List all you can remember.

14. Jesus promised that He was our shepherd, devoted to our care. In Jn. 14:25–27, what else did He promise us?

How can you give away comfort?

15. According to 2 Cor. 1:4, what will happen with the comfort that we receive? Why is there hope embedded in this?

16. Can you remember a time when you were facing trouble and received comfort through a person who had been in a similar situation? Describe it.

17. With so many needs facing us daily, it’s easy to become overwhelmed by the number of people in our lives who need help. Read 2 Cor. 1:4 again. This verse encourages us to give away what we have received. Take a few minutes to consider the kinds of troubles you’ve faced and the comfort you’ve received. What patterns emerge?

Troubles:

Comfort:

18. What kind of comfort does that “qualify” you to give?

19. Can you think of a specific person who needs that comfort right now? What could you do this week to come alongside that person?

Person:

Practical Step:

The wonderful promise in 2 Corinthians 1 is that whether we need comfort or are faced with the needs of others, we don’t have to rely on our own strength. Instead we can freely receive from God and then give to others out of the overflow.

“I, even I, am He who comforts you.” —Is. 51:12
___________________________________________________________________________
Related:
The God of All Comfort by Helen Crawford
Why does God permit you to suffer the pain of personal catastrophes? And what can you do during them?

Jeremiah 29:11-13    For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you{to give you peace} and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 12 Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will seek Me and find Me when you seek Me with all your heart.

Lyrics to The More I Seek You
Kari Jobe

The more I seek You,
the more I find You
The more I find You, the more I love You

Romans 8:28, 37-39    And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose. … 37No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. 38For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Ephesians 3:14-21   For this reason I kneel before the Father, 15from whom His whole family in heaven and on earth derives its name. 16I pray that out of His glorious riches He may strengthen you with power through His Spirit in your inner being, 17so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

20Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, 21to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

I seem to have had a pretty ‘dark’ week. BUT  … the Lord encouraged me with an image to make, ‘Heb 10:35-37′ and the idea that it’s during this darkness that hope is born and rises. It’s during these dark times especially that He pours out His love refining our faith which is more precious than gold. 

So look beyond the darkness!

For it’s during the darkest part of the night that the morning star appears, before the glory on the wings of dawn. As surely as we see the morning star arise, we will see the dawn. The morning star is never far from the rising sun. 

For those who revere His Holy name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings. — Mal 4:2

“I, Jesus, have sent my angel to give you this testimony for the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, and the bright Morning Star.” … To him who overcomes and does my will to the end, I will give authority over the nations— ‘He will rule them with an iron scepter; he will dash them to pieces like pottery’— just as I have received authority from my Father. I will also give him the morning star. –Rev 2:16, 26-28 

To him who overcomes, an unspeakable brightness, joy and peace is given. 

Dominion in Jesus Christ our Lord, the bright Morning Star. 

Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. -Rom 15:13

Hope Rises Midst the Darkness

________________________________________________
Romans 8:23-25     And not only this, but also we ourselves, having the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our body. For in hope we have been saved, but hope that is seen is not hope; for who hopes for what he already sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, with *perseverance{patience} we wait eagerly for it.

Hebrews 10:35-37    So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. *Patient endurance is what you need now, so you will continue to do God’s will. Then you will receive all that He has promised. FOR YET IN A VERY LITTLE WHILE, HE WHO IS COMING WILL COME, AND WILL NOT DELAY.

From: Netbible Heb 10:36 & Netbible Rom 8:25
*patient endurance – hupomone [5281]
1) steadfastness, constancy, endurance
1a) in the NT the characteristic of a man who is not swerved from
his deliberate purpose and his loyalty to faith and piety by
even the greatest trials and sufferings
1b) patiently, and steadfastly
2) a patient, steadfast waiting for
3) a patient enduring, sustaining, perseverance
________________________________________________

Romans 5:1-5 AMP THEREFORE, SINCE we are justified (acquitted, declared righteous, and given a right standing with God) through faith, let us [grasp the fact that we] have [the peace of reconciliation to hold and to enjoy] peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One).
2Through Him also we have [our] access (entrance, introduction) by faith into this grace (state of God’s favor) in which we [firmly and safely] stand. And let us rejoice and exult in our hope of experiencing and enjoying the glory of God.
3Moreover [let us also be full of joy now!] let us exult and triumph in our troubles and rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that pressure and affliction and hardship produce patient and unswerving endurance.
4And endurance (fortitude) develops maturity of character (approved faith and tried integrity). And character [of this sort] produces [the habit of] joyful and confident hope of eternal salvation.
5Such hope never disappoints or deludes or shames us, for God’s love has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit Who has been given to us.