Morning
God has caused me to be fruitful in the land of my affliction.
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also abounds through Christ.
Now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ. § The Lord stood with me and
strengthened me.
Let those who suffer according to the will of God commit their souls to Him in doing good, as to a faithful Creator.
Gen. 41:52; 2 Cor. 1:3–5; 1 Peter 1:6–7; 2 Tim. 4:17; 1 Peter 4:19
Evening
There remains therefore a rest for the people of God.
There the wicked cease from troubling, and the weary are at rest. There the prisoners rest together; they do not hear the voice of the oppressor.Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on … That they may rest from their labors, and their works follow them.
“Our friend Lazarus sleeps.” … Jesus spoke of his death, but they thought that He was speaking about taking rest in sleep.
We who are in this tent groan, being burdened. § We also who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body. For we were saved in this hope, but hope that is seen is not hope. But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with perseverance.
Heb. 4:9; Job 3:17–18; Rev. 14:13; John 11:11, 13; 2 Cor. 5:4; Rom. 8:23–25
